Language Learning Difficulty and Proficiency Levels
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the word building system in English?

  • Stems
  • Prefixes
  • Suffixes
  • Pronouns (correct)

Setting short-term goals is an ineffective strategy for language learning.

False (B)

What is meant by learner autonomy?

Taking responsibility for one's own learning.

English articles include _____ and _____.

<p>a, the</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following language learning principles with their descriptions:

<p>Meaning-focused input = Understanding and processing information in the language. Meaning-focused output = Using the language actively to communicate. Language-focused learning = Focusing on language structure and rules. Fluency development = Enhancing the ability to speak or write smoothly and effortlessly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following languages is classified as Group 4 (the hardest) according to the Foreign Service Institute?

<p>Korean (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Learning an easy language like French takes less time compared to a difficult language like Japanese.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the proficiency level that allows a person to participate effectively in conversations on practical, social, and professional topics?

<p>Minimum Professional Proficiency</p> Signup and view all the answers

The person who can satisfy routine travel needs has _____ proficiency.

<p>Elementary</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the proficiency levels with their descriptions:

<p>Elementary Proficiency = Satisfies routine travel needs Full Professional Proficiency = Uses the language fluently and accurately Limited Working Proficiency = Satisfies routine social demands Native or Bilingual Proficiency = Equivalent to an educated native speaker</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long does it typically take a native English speaker to achieve limited working proficiency in Arabic through an intensive course?

<p>24 weeks (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A writing system that uses symbols for whole words is generally easier to learn than an alphabet system.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two factors listed that influence the difficulty of learning a language?

<p>Writing system and tone</p> Signup and view all the answers

English is considered a ______ language due to its timing of stress.

<p>stress-timed</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following pairs of languages with their characteristics:

<p>Vietnamese = Tonal language Indonesian = Syllable-timed language Swedish = Cognates with English Chinese = Symbols for whole words</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes spaced repetition in language learning?

<p>Repeating information at increasing intervals over time (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Motivating oneself by setting long-term goals is an effective strategy for language learning.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should learners do to take responsibility for their own learning?

<p>Set clear manageable goals and monitor their learning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Learning about the nature of language includes understanding its ________ and how it is used in cultural customs.

<p>families</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the language learning principles with their descriptions:

<p>Spaced Repetition = Reviewing material over spaced intervals Elaboration = Connecting new knowledge with existing knowledge Deliberate Attention = Focusing intently on learning tasks Varied Use = Applying language skills in diverse contexts</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Limited Working Proficiency

The ability to communicate in a language for basic needs in everyday situations, including simple conversation, understanding common phrases and instructions, and expressing basic opinions.

Hard Language

A language that is considered more challenging for English speakers to learn, often requiring more time and effort to achieve proficiency.

Tonal Language

A language where the tone of a word affects its meaning. Each word must be spoken with a specific tone, such as high, low, rising, or falling.

Stress-timed Language

A language where the emphasis is on certain syllables within a word or sentence, giving a rhythm to the speech.

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Syllable-timed Language

A language where each syllable is spoken with roughly the same amount of time, creating a more even flow to the speech.

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Word Building System

The way a language constructs words using prefixes, stems, and suffixes.

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Grammatical Differences

Variations in how languages express aspects like tense, number, and articles. For example, English has past and present tenses.

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Motivating Language Learning

Strategies to make learning more effective and engaging. It involves setting goals, making learning relevant, and engaging in deliberate practice.

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Deliberate Learning

Learning with intention and focus. This means actively practicing target language features and using spaced repetition for optimal retention.

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Learner Autonomy

Taking ownership of your learning process, setting your goals, and actively seeking strategies to improve.

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Spaced repetition

A learning technique where you review material at increasing intervals to improve retention.

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Varied Meetings

Using different methods to interact with the language, like reading, speaking, writing, and listening.

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Elaboration

Connecting new language information to what you already know by creating relationships and making connections.

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Deliberate Attention

Focusing specifically on the language being learned, actively engaging with it, and making conscious efforts to process the information.

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Learning about the language

Exploring the history, structure, and features of the language being learned to gain a deeper understanding.

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Language Difficulty Groups

The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) categorizes languages into four groups based on their difficulty for native English speakers. Group 1 is the easiest, while Group 4 is the hardest.

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Language Mastery Levels

FSI defines five levels of language proficiency based on a person's ability to communicate in a specific language. These levels range from Elementary Proficiency, where a person can handle basic travel needs, to Native or Bilingual Proficiency, where they speak the language as well as a native speaker.

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What Group 4 Languages Have in Common

Languages in FSI's Group 4, such as Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese, are considered the most difficult for native English speakers due to their unique grammar structures, writing systems, and pronunciation challenges.

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Time to Reach Proficiency

Learning a difficult language takes more time to achieve the same proficiency level as learning an easier language. This is due to the complexity of the language and the effort required to master it.

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High Quality Instruction

The FSI language proficiency assessments are based on intensive instruction, with approximately 30 hours of language training per week. This indicates the significance of focused and dedicated learning for achieving language fluency.

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Study Notes

Language Learning Difficulty

  • Foreign Service Institute (FSI) categorizes languages by difficulty, with Group 1 being easiest and Group 4 hardest.
  • Learning a difficult language typically takes longer to reach the same proficiency level as an easy language.
  • FSI researchers tracked student progress over three years, measuring proficiency levels in various training periods.
  • This study assumes 30 hours of intensive training per week.
  • Data helps determine realistic course goals and needs for additional study time outside class.

Language Proficiency Levels

  • Table 8.2 outlines five proficiency levels, from elementary to native/bilingual fluency.
  • Levels based on social and business purposes.

Learning Rates for "Easy" and "Hard" Languages

  • Table 8.3 displays proficiency achievement times for different language groups (easy and hard).
  • Shows approximate levels of proficiency based on intensive training for various periods.

Factors Affecting Language Learning Difficulty

  • Writing systems: Different writing systems (alphabets vs. symbols) impact learning.
  • Pronunciation: Languages with tones (e.g., Mandarin) or stress patterns (e.g., English) require differing pronunciation techniques.
  • Syllable-timing vs. stress-timing: Different rhythm patterns in languages affect how they sound.
  • Language relationships: Closely related languages share vocabulary (cognates), simplifying learning.
  • Borrowed words: Many languages incorporate words from other languages.
  • Grammatical structures: Differences in grammatical patterns, verb tenses, noun cases, and classifiers greatly influence learning.
  • Cultural context: Understanding cultural practices and common expressions helps learners grasp nuances.

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Chapter 08: Keep Motivated and Work Hard PDF

Description

Explore the Foreign Service Institute's categorization of languages by difficulty and the varying rates of proficiency achieved through intense training. This quiz covers the relationship between language difficulty, learning rates, and proficiency levels, providing insights into realistic learning goals. Test your understanding of the factors that influence language learning success.

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