The Language Learning Plateau & How to Move Past
It
written
by: Vandana Singhal • edited by: Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch • updated:
6/6/2012
When learning a new language, learners often feel
stuck. They feel like they have reached a plateau where they see no further
significant progress. Read on to find out why this happens and how you can get
out of it.
Learning a second language is a long process. It takes
years and years to become proficient in a language, even with a native
language. However, after learning for some time, most learners feel stuck in a
stage of knowledge. In fact, they feel reaching a plateau in their language
acquisition. Literally, a plateau is a state of no or little progress. Why does
this happen?
What is the
Learning Plateau?
A learning plateau is a term that is often used in
educational psychology. This is a kind of phenomenon that refers to a situation
when the learner in the course of learning, despite all the efforts of learning
and practice, seems to make no significant progress. In the beginning of the
process, the learning curve is steep, then it gradually starts leveling out.
The learning plateau is that flat part of learning curve which comes after
rapid progress initially. However, after being in plateau for certain period,
the learner will continue to make progress.
The plateau period is sometimes also referred as the
"Temporary Fossilization," which is a prelude to permanent
fossilization. Fossilization means the rules and linguistic items of the native
language of the speaker persist in the inter-language relative to a target
language. When compared to fossilization, the plateau is the temporary and
reversible stage of language learning.
Why This is a Good
Sign
Language learning is not a smooth process. A learner
experiences spurts and slow-downs. They reach a plateau in learning because
initially, in the early stages of learning, they clearly see their learning
progress. They tackle all the hurdles in learning enthusiastically and
successfully. However, when it comes to intermediate stage of language
learning, they need to consolidate and apply that existing knowledge. It makes
it harder for them to know what has to be achieved and recognize the success of
knowledge.
Recognizing the
Plateau
You can recognize the plateau in language learning by
two ways. Evaluate the outcomes of the standardized tests that measure
proficiency and achievement in the language you are studying. Secondly, observe
the performance of learners at anytime of the learning process. This phenomenon
is displayed both in behavior and psychology of the language learners. For
instance, you will observe that learners are not showing as much interest in
the teacher's instructions as they were previously. Their transition from
intermediate to advanced intermediate seems to be frustrating. This situation
is seen even after teachers impart new information and knowledge, as learners
are not able to use that information. They may start feeling that this new
language is too difficult for them to learn. Some may even appear to regress
and have difficulty in every part of language learning, such speaking, reading,
pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and understanding.
What to Do
To handle this plateau in language acquisition,
teachers should explain the typical learning curve at the start of program.
They should help learners understand the intermediate phase, which is for
strengthening their knowledge and gaining confidence. This phase is to help the
learners become more autonomous as language users.
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