Stuck at Level 3 (Professional Proficiency): Dependence Fossilization
Overcoming Dependence Fossilization in Advanced Language Learning Most serious language learners will hit a wall. Not the kind that slows them down at the beginning when they’re trying to form basic sentences or remember irregular verb forms—but the wall that looms after fluency has already been achieved. It’s the wall between professional-level proficiency (Level 3) and near-native proficiency (Level 4) . And for many, this is where they stall— not because they can’t go further, but because they don’t let go . This stall has a name: dependence fossilization . What Is Dependence Fossilization? In short, dependence fossilization happens when learners reach a high level of proficiency but continue to rely on teachers—or structured classroom environments—for their progress. They’ve developed strong communication skills, they function well in professional settings, and their vocabulary is expansive. But they still expect someone else to be the source of explanations, corrections, an...