Understanding the Language Learning Plateau: A Grounded-Theory Study

Abstract

There is a fair chance that the learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) at the upper intermediate level make no perceptible progress in the language learning process despite their efforts and practice. This research addressed the problems that EFL learners encounter when they reach the upper intermediate level (the learning plateau). In so doing, the process by which the plateau phenomenon occurs in an Iranian EFL setting was explored and also a theory on the language learning plateau was developed. Drawing on the grounded-theory study, 31 EFL learners at the upper intermediate level of language proficiency were selected. They ranged in age from 14 to 24 years. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding procedures. To ensure credibility of the findings, the constant comparison method, teacher surveys, and member checking were used. The interview data analysis revealed a substantive theory of language learning plateau in which three major factors were identified to contribute to EFL plateau: Learner-related variables, Instruction-related variables, and Going through problems. Findings show that the factors are interrelated and also play a major role in language learning plateau. The implications of the theory are further discussed.

Keywords

• plateau phenomenon
• grounded theory
• language learning
• upper intermediate level