MSI Press Blog

  So, what pushes someone to reach near-native proficiency in a foreign language? There is little quantitative research out there except for a study undertaken by Leaver and Atwell (published in Developing Professional Level Language Proficiency by Cambridge University Press) and Al-Khanji, Jasser, and Leaver (a research project funded by the CCCC of the National Association of Teachers of English). Both had an n in excess of 100. The numbers from these numbers show that often the push for near-native comes from a need for higher proficiency for the job (the highest push; consider it instrumental motivation) or from an interpersonal need (in-laws, spouse from the foreign country). Lesser numbers show an internal desire (call it intrinsic motivation), often associated with the trait of tenacity. Individual experiences tell more of the story, not only about the why (motivation) but also about the how of reaching higher levels (learning actions and strategies). Some of these indiv...

  Today's excerpt comes from  Achieving Native-Like Second Language Proficiency  (Speaking) by Betty Lou Leaver. INTRODUCTION A Research Study on High-Level Language Achievement         The purposes of the research study, described in this volume, were (1) to assess the behavioral aspects of Level 4 language proficiency, (2) to determine the most important factors that contribute to reaching that level, and (3) to examine the nature of Level 4 language from two perspectives: the teachers who teach it and the users who apply it in their daily and professional lives. This volume reports on purpose #2 (determining the important factors that lead to attainment of Level 4 proficiency) specifically for the skill of speaking.             In this study, the researchers interviewed in depth foreign-language users who had developed one or more language skills in one or more languages to ...

    We now have available for individual purchase each of the feature articles from issue 8 of the journal at a very accessible price and will make the feature articles available from other issues as time goes on. Check our webstore to see what we have at any given time. We will announce and link each of these individually in upcoming blog posts. The Journal for Distinguished Language Studies is available by subscription. JDLS is a biennial journal, and it is easy for time to slip by and miss the next issue. Subscription will take care of that. Subscribe  HERE  and never miss a copy. (Publishes typically in December of even-numbered years.) Also, don't believe Amazon's listing of previous issues of  The Journal for Distinguished Language Studies  as out of print. It is very much in print and available at the  MSI Press webstore . Subscription service available as noted above, and issues 1-6 are on sale for $5 each! Amazon is selling  issues 7 and...