Lessons from Exceptional Language Learners Who Have Achieved Nativelike Proficiency: Motivation, Cognition and Identity

How do some language learners triumph against all odds, despite not having obvious heritage links or spending extended periods of time in the L2 environment pre-adulthood? This book delves into the autobiographical stories of learners who achieve nativelike proficiency, opening a narrative window into their experiences and offering insights into their pathways to success. The in-depth analysis ties together a wide range of potentially relevant topics, from motivational vision and international posture to issues of identity, endurance and even musical ability, among other themes. The authors explore whether these successes can be repeated by others and the book will be of use to language teachers interested in learner motivation and the antecedents to high-level ultimate attainment. The book will also be of great interest to researchers working in the areas of language learner psychology, especially in topics concerning language learning motivation, identity and narrative inquiry.

Zoltán Dörnyei was a Professor of Psycholinguistics at the University of Nottingham, UK. He published extensively on second language acquisition and learner psychology, with a particular focus on language learner motivation.

Katarina Mentzelopoulos is an ESRC-funded PhD student at the University of Nottingham, UK. Her research interests include language learning motivation, multilingualism and learner identity.