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Usenet Posted 23 years ago
Learning

Adult Eng. Lang. Acquisition - learning rate

Can anyone point me in the direction of research that looks at how long it takes for adults that are academically fluent in one language to become fluent in another? (I know Baker, & Cummins have done research with children).

I am interested in any information that would help me determine how much literacy support may be required to assist non-English speaking adults in the workplace with academic written English.

Any guidance would be welcome

Thank-you

Angie H.
  

Top answer

[/nq] Depends on teaching method, learning style of student, confidence of student, motivation of student, how much of the second language the student is exposed to in an average day, how important it is to that student to comprehend that L2, etc. " As Pimsleur defines it, all it takes is listening to his eight 30-minute audio cassettes. As I define fluent, anywhere from a few days (total immersion, good methods, and plenty of motivation) to several years--from fifth grade through twelfth, I took Spanish thirteen semesters, and I think I was about a level one on the ILR scale on my first trip to México.

— Usenet

  • [/nq] Depends on teaching method, learning style of student, confidence of student, motivation of student, how much of the second language the student is exposed to in an average day, how important it is to that student to comprehend that L2, etc.
  • " As Pimsleur defines it, all it takes is listening to his eight 30-minute audio cassettes.
  • As I define fluent, anywhere from a few days (total immersion, good methods, and plenty of motivation) to several years--from fifth grade through twelfth, I took Spanish thirteen semesters, and I think I was about a level one on the ILR scale on my first trip to México.
  • Now that I've not answered your question :-) I did ask some friends of mine who are experts in ESL whether they could remember any such citations.....
  • " -- Ron Allen
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4 Answers
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[nq:1]Can anyone point me in the direction of research that looks at how long it takes for adults that are academically fluent in one language to become fluent in another?[/nq]
Depends on teaching method, learning style of student, confidence of student, motivation of student, how much of the second language the student is exposed to in an average day, how important it is to that student to c
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[nq:1]Now that I've not answered your question :-) I did ask some friends of mine who are experts in ESL whether they could remember any such citations..[/nq]
And here's what one of them answered:

Offhand I don't know of any work that has specifically targeted this aspect of adult ESOL. I'm sure I've heard people use Jim Cummins' BICS (basic interpersonal communicative skills) and CA
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[nq:1]Can anyone point me in the direction of research that looks at how long it takes for adults that are ... to assist non-English speaking adults in the workplace with academic written English. Any guidance would be welcome Thank-you Angie H.[/nq]
Try a web search for > workplace english <
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Thanks guys, for your thoughts & your time.

Am supporting people in the workplace that use English as an additional language. Many are highly qualified in their own language & home country. Unfortunately, at this stage, the only work available to them in this country is fairly basic - but they do need to have a good command of the English for their own safety & advancement.

Chee
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