Foreign language attrition

Schmid, Monika S.; Mehotcheva, Teodora

doi:10.1075/dujal.1.1.08sch

Article published In: Dutch Journal of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 1:1 (2012) ► pp.102–124

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Foreign language attrition

Monika S. Schmid | University of Groningen

Teodora Mehotcheva

Published online: 31 August 2012

https://doi.org/10.1075/dujal.1.1.08sch

The present contribution discusses recent developments and future directions in the attrition of instructed foreign languages, arguing for a distinction between this type of attrition and attrition involving second languages acquired implicitly in an immersion setting. An overview of the history of research in the field and the most prominent findings is provided, followed by a discussion of theoretical models and methodologically problematic issues. We conclude by outlining some future directions for the field.

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