Some questions to consider about fossilization

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Some questions to consider about fossilization

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  1. How do we determine that an adult second language learner has fossilized? According to Han, “fossilization is a process, not a product.” Is there such a thing as fossilized competence? Are there different diagnoses for different levels of linguistic analysis?
  1. It is a fact that ultimate attainment is rare and highly variable in second language acquisition. Why is that? (Affective/psycho-social variables versus input?)
  1. Once it is established that an adult second language learner has fossilized, what intervention techniques can be used to enable her to reformulate target language structures and approximate them? Sharwood-Smith’s idea of consciousness raising and input enhancement comes to mind.
  1. How do we account for the differences in oral versus written modes?

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