Female learners show a small but statistically significant advantage over males in L2 learning achievement (g = 0.17)¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · quant-synthesis r3 · q3 · i0 negligible
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i0 Across 137 effect sizes from 41 studies, females outperform males in L2 learning achievement with a small pooled effect (g = 0.17). → Chen 2026

Evidence¶

Chen 2026¶

Chen, X., Zhou, Z., & Padilla, A. M. (2026). Do Females Outperform Males on Second/Foreign Language (L2) Achievement? A Meta-Analytical Review across Three Decades. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10092-6

q3 · i0 · quant-synthesis · r3

Three-level random-effects meta-analysis of 137 effect sizes from 41 studies (cumulative N = 25,613), each transformed to Hedges' g. The pooled estimate shows "g = 0.17" with a significant confidence interval excluding zero, favoring females.

"our three-level random-effects models revealed an overall mean effect size, g = 0.17 (p < 0.01, 95% CI [0.04, 0.29], SE = 0.06, t = 2.71, 95% PI [−0.71, 1.05])."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Country significantly moderates the gender gap in L2 achievement, favoring females in China and males in Türkiye — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Population type significantly moderates the gender gap in L2 achievement, largest in secondary schools and smallest at university — related