Abstract Fossilization is a universal phenomenon in second language acquisition (SLA). This thesis is based on the theory of SLA and many current motivation theories, describing the definition of the fossilization and analyzing the multiple factors in English teaching such as the age of learner, affective factors, second language learning strategies, communication strategies and language transfer. These factors may result in interlanguage fossilization. It also puts forward that we should enhance the learning of the target language culture, improve learning strategies, overcome affective barriers, use effective ways to eliminate the disadvantages in language testing and take use of every possible means in verbal and nonverbal communication in the English teaching. In this way, the learner’s ability of communication will be increased and fossilization will be reduced.59348

Key words: interlanguage; fossilization; English teaching; language competence

摘要中介语石化是二语习得中普遍存在的现象。本文依据二语习得理论，从学习者年龄、学习者情感问题、学习策略、交际策略以及语言迁移等方面，分析了英语教学过程中的中介语石化成因。本文认为在英语教学中应加强学生目的语文化学习，合理运用学习策略，克服情感方面的障碍，努力消除语言测试中的弊端，广泛运用言语和非言语交际手段，以便提高学习者英语语言交际能力，减少中介语石化现象产生。

毕业论文关键词：中介语；石化；英语教学；语言能力

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 1

3.Interlanguage and Its Features 2

4.Fossilization and Its Classification 3

4.1 Inpidual Fossilization and Group Fossilization 4

4.2 Temporary Fossilization and Permanent Fossilization 4

5. Causes of Fossilization 5

5.1 Internal Factors 5

5.2 External Factors 7

6. Implications for English teaching 9

6.1 Improving the Self-restraint of the Target Language Culture 9

6.2 Improving Learning Strategies 10

6.3 Overcoming Emotional Barriers 10

6.4 Effective Ways to Eliminate the Disadvantages in Language Testing 10

6.5 Using Various Means in Nonverbal Communication 11

7. Conclusion 11

Works Cited 13

 1. Introduction 

     With the development of second language acquisition research deeply, some research topics have attached the great importance by more and more linguists, such as the interlanguage and fossilization. Interlanguage is a common phenomenon in the field of second language acquisition. It refers to the systematic knowledge of language which is independent of the native language and the target language system which the language learner is trying to learn. It takes the mother tongue as the starting point, and gradually approaches to the target language and it is a dynamic language system. However, there exits a universal phenomenon in Second Language Learning that most L2 learners fail to reach target language competence. That is, they stop learning when their internalized rule system contains rules different from those of the target language. Therefore, to a large extent, this phenomenon restrains the further improvement of learner’s proficiency in the target language. This is referred to as “Fossilization” by Selinker.