Developing Professional-Level Language Proficiency

This comprehensive 2002 book examines approaches to teaching students who aim to make the leap from 'advanced' or 'superior' proficiency in a foreign language to 'near-native' ability. While there are copious publications on classroom techniques and methods for lower levels of instruction, virtually nothing exists about this transition, which is vital for those who intend to use foreign languages in high-level international arenas. This book, by leading practitioners in this area of foreign language teaching, aims to fill this gap and assist those developing language programmes at the 'advanced to distinguished' level. • Divided into three parts which provide information on different aspects of teaching at this level - theory of advanced language teaching - nine sample programs - description of highly advanced learners based on long-term experience and empirical research • Presents programs in seven languages - Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, English, French and German • Content is both theoretical and pragmatic This collection of papers examines approaches to teaching near-native ability in foreign languages. The 13 papers focus on the following: (1) "Principles and Practices in Teaching Superior-Level Language Skills: Not Just More of the Same" (Betty Lou Leaver and Boris Shekhtman); (2) "Toward Academic Level Foreign Language Abilities: Reconsidering Foundational Assumptions, Expanding Pedagogical Options" (Heidi Byrnes); (3) "Contexts for Advanced Foreign Language Learning: A Report on an Immersion Institute" (Heidi Byrnes); (4) "Bridging the Gap Between Language for General Purposes and Language for Work: An Intensive Superior-Level Language/Skill Course for Teachers, Translators, and Interpreters" (Claudia Angelelli and Christian Degueldre); (5) "Learning Chinese in China: Programs for Developing Superior-to-Distinguished-Level Chinese Language Proficiency in China and Taiwan" (Cornelius C. Kubler); (6) "Developing Professional-Level Proficiency: The Shekhtman Method of Communicative Teaching" (Boris Shekhtman and Betty Lou Leaver); (7) "The LangNet 'Reading to the Four' Project: Applied Technology at Higher Levels of Language Learning" (Catherine W. Ingold); (8) "In the Quest for the Level 4+ in Arabic: Training Level 2-3 Learners in Independent Reading" (Elsaid Badawi); (9) "Teaching High-Level Writing Skills in English at a Danish University" (Tim Caudery); (10) "Heritage Speakers as Learners at the Superior Level: Differences and Similarities Between Spanish and Russian Student Populations" (Claudia Angelelli and Olga Kagan); (11) "Teaching Russian Language Teachers in Eight Summer Institutes in Russian Language and Culture" (Zita Dabars and Olga Kagan); (12) "Understanding the Learner at the Superior-Distinguished Threshold" (Madeline E. Ehrman); and (13) "Preliminary Qualitative Findings from a Study of the Processes Leading to the Advanced Professional Proficiency Level (ILR 4)" (Betty Lou Leaver). (Contains approximately 320 references.) (SM)

this Book Examines Approaches To Teaching Students Who Aim To Make The Leap From Advanced Or Superior Proficiency In A Foreign Language To Near-native Ability. While There Are An Abundance Of Publications On Classroom Techniques And Methods For Lower Levels Of Instruction, Almost Nothing Exists About The Transition, Which Is Vital For Those Who Intend To Use Foreign Languages In High-level Arenas. Compiled By Leading Practitioners In This Area Of Foreign Language Teaching, The Book Fills The Gap For Those Developing Programs At The Advanced To Distinguished Level.

This book examines approaches to teaching students making the transition from 'advanced' or 'superior' proficiency in a foreign language to 'near-native' ability, a level which has been much neglected in the professional literature. This book aims to assist those developing language programmes at this level by filling this serious gap