Reading response 12 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reading response 12 - Assignment Example 2011), quoting Selinker (1972), states that this theory was developed forty years ago and has gradually been accepted by many researchers, such that it became conned a globe approach that saw L2 learners acquire new languages. It developed from generic, impressionistic observations outside tutored environment. Han (2011) also emphasized that only about 0 – 5% of L2 learners were able to achieve foreign language proficiency. The rest were failures who became fossilized. According to Han (2011), proponents of Fossilization (as a determinant in L2 learning) also based their research on observation and interview outside the classroom environment (tutored environment). They had their targets and observed and interviewed them periodically. Unfortunately, Han (2011) states that recent research indicates that Fossilization, as a theory, is evolving. It is no longer having the global status it used to have before. Several researchers have hinted that there are several shortfalls that have made Fossilization rather a local than global approach. Studies have proved that there are several conditions that make L2 learners acquire language, namely: bio-mutations, ability, opportunity, motivation, environment, culture, time, quality and quantity of instruction, inadequacy in input and methodology of instruction, and communicative practice of the imparted knowledge. Such conditions make some learners not to be fossilized. They excel in acquiring language. Recent researchers further argue that, early researchers only used qualitative means to interpret their data. This renders fossilization weak as an approach. Perhaps they should have used both qualitative and quantitative means in a tutored environment of SL2. Furthermore, todays’ researchers such Long (1990), Abrahamson (2003) and Williams (2007), argue that fossilization may come due to inadequate and poor instruction to the learners of L2 coupled with poor methodology and learning environment. Such condition, plus