Fossilization in Language Acquisition

 

Task 1: Discuss the following questions with your partners. 

• What is fossilization in nature? Why does it occur?
• What is fossilization in language learning? Why does it occur?
• Do you think the fossilization is a good term for this phenomenon?
• Do you think it is possible for a person with a "fossilized" part of their language ability to improve? Why or why not? How?

Task 2: Watch the Video and Discuss

Preview the questions for Part 1. Then watch the first part of the video, pause it, and discuss them. When you finish, preview the questions for Part 2. Then finish the video and discuss.

Part 1: Pause the video and answer the questions below.

• Scott Thornbury talks about the importance of noticing language problems. Summarize the problem he has with Spanish demonstratives. 
• Why do you think he never acquired this structure? 
• Are there similar structures in English that you don't really need to acquire perfectly in order to be understood?
• He later says that negative feedback is important. He means that it is helpful for learners when they are in communicative situations in which the people they are talking to do not understand them. Why would not being understood be a helpful for language acquisition and avoiding fossilization?

Part 2: Finish the video and answer the questions below.

• Given what we know about the power of the brain, why is fossilization a frustrating topic to explain?
• What are some reasons why stabilization might be a better term for the phenomenon than fossilization?
• Explain the mountain metaphor that Scott Thornburry uses at the end of the video. Do you think it is a good analogy for this phenomenon? Why or why not? 
• Can you think of another analogy?
• Scott finishes by saying that the OK Plateau is not unique to language learning. In fact, it is common in any complex skill. Can you think of examples of other skills where you reached an OK Plateau? How did you or could you break through to a higher level?
• Can that same strategy apply to language learning?