Chapter 3. The development of speaking proficiency of LDS missionaries
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Dan Dewey
Abstract
In this study we explore the levels of speaking proficiency attained by returned missionaries after spending sixteen to twenty-two months abroad, where they had daily opportunities to speak the languages of the countries to which they were assigned. The missionaries tested for this report speak a total of seven different languages learned primarily during their missionary service. We first seek to describe the level of proficiency achieved by these missionaries as measured by standardized Oral Proficiency Interviews, and then to describe in broader terms what kinds of real-world communication tasks these returned missionaries are prepared to accomplish. We also compare the abilities of these returned missionaries with the abilities of non-returned-missionary undergraduate language majors.
Abstract
In this study we explore the levels of speaking proficiency attained by returned missionaries after spending sixteen to twenty-two months abroad, where they had daily opportunities to speak the languages of the countries to which they were assigned. The missionaries tested for this report speak a total of seven different languages learned primarily during their missionary service. We first seek to describe the level of proficiency achieved by these missionaries as measured by standardized Oral Proficiency Interviews, and then to describe in broader terms what kinds of real-world communication tasks these returned missionaries are prepared to accomplish. We also compare the abilities of these returned missionaries with the abilities of non-returned-missionary undergraduate language majors.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Foreword ix
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
-
Section I Acquisition of mission languages
- Chapter 2. Language learning and teaching in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 13
- Chapter 3. The development of speaking proficiency of LDS missionaries 29
- Chapter 4. An examination of the effects of input, aptitude, and motivation on the language proficiency of missionaries mearning Japanese as a second language 51
- Chapter 5. In the beginning was the word 89
-
Section II Attrition of mission languages
- Chapter 6. The lost word 111
- Chapter 7. Vocabulary attrition in adult speakers of Spanish as a second language 135
- Chapter 8. Savings in the relearning of mission vocabulary 185
- Chapter 9. What counts in the retention of numeral classifiers in Japanese and Chinese? 203
- Chapter 10. Syntactic attrition in L2 Japanese missionary language 221
- Chapter 11. The measurement of oral fluency in mission languages 245
- Comprehensive bibliography of mission language references: Annotated 259
- Comprehensive bibliography of mission language references: Unannotated 263
- Index 267
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Foreword ix
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
-
Section I Acquisition of mission languages
- Chapter 2. Language learning and teaching in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 13
- Chapter 3. The development of speaking proficiency of LDS missionaries 29
- Chapter 4. An examination of the effects of input, aptitude, and motivation on the language proficiency of missionaries mearning Japanese as a second language 51
- Chapter 5. In the beginning was the word 89
-
Section II Attrition of mission languages
- Chapter 6. The lost word 111
- Chapter 7. Vocabulary attrition in adult speakers of Spanish as a second language 135
- Chapter 8. Savings in the relearning of mission vocabulary 185
- Chapter 9. What counts in the retention of numeral classifiers in Japanese and Chinese? 203
- Chapter 10. Syntactic attrition in L2 Japanese missionary language 221
- Chapter 11. The measurement of oral fluency in mission languages 245
- Comprehensive bibliography of mission language references: Annotated 259
- Comprehensive bibliography of mission language references: Unannotated 263
- Index 267
