High-Level Language Proficiency in Second Language and Multilingual Contexts

An encompassing picture of what high-level competence in second languages and in multilingual use is about.

Aimed at scholars in linguistics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics and bilingual studies as well as language teachers on all levels, this volume provides important insights in second language use at the highest levels and also of high-proficient mixed language use in multicultural settings.The issue of high-level language proficiency in other than monolingual contexts can be approached from a variety of perspectives, including linguistic/structural; psycholinguistic/cognitive and sociolinguistic/societal. Bringing together a team of experts, this volume takes a novel empirical approach to the subject combined with an up-to-date understanding of these research areas, to answer two important research questions in the field of second language acquisition: what conditions allow learners to attain an outstanding level of proficiency in a second language, and what factors still prevent them from becoming entirely like first language speakers. Looking at a range of European languages including English, French, Italian, Spanish and Swedish, it provides important insights into second language use at the highest levels as well as in high-proficient mixed language use in multicultural settings. A useful tool for both language teaching and language teacher training, it provides a solid grounding for further study in this important area of research.