Acquiring Proficiency

How is proficiency acquired in world languages?

World language proficiency may be acquired in different ways and at different rates, depending on students’ levels of exposure to and experience with the language, how much time they spend using the language outside of the classroom and in what capacity, and their own individual needs and cognitive development. Students may acquire proficiency in some skills before others, and students may require additional supports to build proficiency across certain skills.

The rate at which students acquire proficiency may also be impacted by the number of hours of instruction they receive in the language, as well as the different instructional approaches used in their courses. For example, proficiency may be acquired faster in intensive courses and student progress will also depend on the number of meeting times per week in a given course.

It is important to keep this in mind when you are setting goals and objectives for your students, as there is no one-size-fits all approach to acquiring proficiency.