Some questions to consider about fossilization
Some questions to consider about fossilization
- 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?
- 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?)
- 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.
- How do we account for the differences in oral versus written modes?
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