The Story behind the Book: Achieving Nativelike Second Language Proficiency

 


From the author:

The content of this book was the outcome of work and research conducted under the auspices of the Coalition of Distinguished Language Centers, the US Department of State's Foreign Service Institute, the Defense Language Institute, and the National Foreign Language. Some of the results of that research was included in the Journal for Distinguished Language Studies and in Developing Professional Foreign Language Prodiciency (Leaver & Shekhtman, Cambridge University Press).

The decision to write this book, in particular, came about as the result of a grant by the CCC of the National Association of Teachers of English to the author and colleagues at the University of Jordan and the New York Institute of Technology's campus in Amman to determine the variables that led to the acquisition of near-native skills in writing. The results of that particular research was shared in a series of talks across the USA and Jordan and in the Journal for Distinguished Language Studies.

When discussing next steps, the thought was to put the information not in a book but in a series of books, one dedicated to each skill, beginning with Writing (authors: Al-Khanji, Brendel, Hoskins, and Jaser). The second volume was to be speaking, followed by listening and then reading.

However, some influences were growing within the field of teaching to upper levels of foreign language proficiency that promoted some curious concepts of how one achieves these levels. Some ill-conceived research, designed by individuals who themselves had never achieved such levels, were beginning to find its way into the dialogue on the topic of developing speaking skills. So, the decision was made to move the speaking volume into first place --- and there it is! 

The other volumes have not yet quite made it into print, but chances are, with time, they will.

For other posts on language learning, click HERE.

For other book backstories, click HERE.


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