Fossilization in Adult Second Language Acquisition

by Han, Zhaohong

• ISBN13: 9781853596865
• ISBN10: 1853596868
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-03-16
• Publisher: Multilingual Matters

Summary

This book is a systematic attempt to address the issue of fossilization in relation to a fundamental question in second language acquisition research, which is: why are learners, adults in particular, unable to develop the level of competence they have aspired to in spite of continuous and sustained exposure to the target language, adequate motivation to learn, and sufficient opportunity to practice?

Author Biography

ZhaoHong Han is Associate Professor of Linguistics and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
1 Introduction	1	(11)
Fossilization and Ultimate Attainment	5	(3)
General failure	5	(2)
Differential success/failure	7	(1)
A Conceptual Framework	8	(2)
An Outline of the Book	10	(2)
2 What is Fossilization?	12	(13)
Selinker's Definitions	14	(2)
Others' View	16	(2)
Dictionary Definitions	18	(1)
An Alternative Definition	19	(2)
Key Issues	21	(2)
Is fossilization global or local?	21	(1)
Is fossilization a product or a process?	22	(1)
Summary	23	(2)
3 Behavioral Reflexes and Causal Variables	25	(19)
An Overview	25	(3)
Sample Explanations	28	(10)
Absence of corrective feedback	28	(2)
Quality of input	30	(1)
Lack of access to universal grammar	30	(1)
Failure of parameter resetting	30	(1)
Learning inhibiting learning	31	(1)
Automatization of faulty knowledge	31	(1)
Lack of understanding	32	(1)
Processing constraints	32	(1)
Lack of sensitivity to input	32	(1)
Change in emotional state	33	(1)
Natural inclination to focus on content, not on form	33	(1)
Avoidance	34	(1)
Satisfaction of communicative needs	34	(1)
Lack of acculturation	35	(1)
Will to maintain identity	36	(2)
Two Primary Determinants of Lack of Ability	38	(4)
Summary	42	(2)
4 A Macroscopic Analysis: Critical Period Effects	44	(21)
The Critical Period Hypothesis	44	(2)
CPH in FLA and SLA	46	(9)
The Modular Nature of CP	55	(2)
Critical Period Effects on Language Learning	57	(5)
Summary	62	(3)
5 A Macroscopic Analysis: Native Language Transfer	65	(22)
Transfer-inspired Delay in L2 Learning	68	(1)
'Transfer to Somewhere' and 'Transfer to Nowhere'	69	(6)
Transfer of 'Thinking for Speaking'	75	(2)
Preprogramming	77	(8)
The Schwartz and Sprouse (1996) study	77	(3)
The Sorace (1993) study	80	(5)
Summary	85	(2)
6 A Microscopic Analysis: Some Empirical Evidence	87	(38)
Some Empirical Studies	87	(10)
The longitudinal approach	88	(2)
The typical-error approach	90	(2)
The advanced-learner approach	92	(3)
The corrective-feedback approach	95	(2)
The length-of-residence approach	97	(1)
Critique of the Methodologies	97	(9)
Two recent longitudinal studies	99	(3)
Is stabilization synonymous with fossilization?	102	(2)
Should a longitudinal study last five years or longer?	104	(2)
The Modular Nature of Fossilization	106	(6)
Linguistic Features Prone to Fossilization	112	(6)
The Multiple Effects Principle	118	(3)
Summary	121	(4)
7 Second Language Instruction and Fossilization	125	(41)
To What Extent Does Instruction Aid Acquisition?	126	(21)
Explicit or implicit instruction?	129	(3)
Is grammar instruction necessary?	132	(4)
The zone of capability	136	(11)
To What Extent Does Instruction Promote Fossilization?	147	(14)
Classroom input	151	(6)
Pedagogic strategies	157	(4)
Opportunity for use of language	161	(1)
Summary	161	(5)
8 Summary and Conclusion	166	(11)
A Synopsis	166	(3)
Implications for Research and Practice	169	(5)
General Directions for Future Research	174	(3)
References	177	(21)
Index	198