Read latest OUP article ‘Helping Advanced Students Overcome The Language Learning Plateau.
When it comes to learning a language, the journey is as important as the destination. This is particularly true for advanced learners who often encounter a ‘language learning plateau’. At this stage, progress seems to slow down or even stall, leading to frustration and discouragement for learners (and, perhaps, teachers!).
Unlike earlier stages, where learners accumulate new vocabulary and grammar, advanced learners face the challenge of expanding and refining their existing knowledge. Polishing and perfecting a language requires time, patience and a shift in focus.
For us teachers guiding advanced learners past this language learning plateau, we need to remind our students that they are shifting to understanding the nuances of language in various contexts, rather than building foundational blocks as they did early on in their language learning journey.