Stuck at Level 3 (Professional Proficiency): Linguistic Fossilization from High Levels of Communicative Competence at Low Levels of Proficiency
Continuing the topic of the barrier that some (many) language learners experience between ILR Levels 3 and 4, I would point to linguistic fossilization as a critical one. There are several reasons/explanations for linguistic fossilization. One of those is when learners develop high levels of communicative competence at low levels of proficiency (particularly at the lower reaches of ILR 3/Professional Proficiency). Achieving Advanced Professions Proficiency/ILR, what is commonly called near-native foreign language proficiency, requires sophistication of expression, i.e. le mot just, precision, and lack of the need to circumlocute. Circumlocution and other compensatory strategies are great at Level 3 and below. They allow the language learner to communicate easily with a native speaker. They often brag that they are complimented on their proficiency (an overt sign that they are only at Level 3 since near-native speakers do not get so complimented--they are not recognized as f...