O PAPEL DO FEEDBACK CORRETIVO NA REVERSÃO DA FOSSILIZAÇÃO EM APRENDIZES ADULTOS

Abstract

This sudy investigates how defossilization takes place in adult L2 learners and the way it is related to different instruction approaches and methods such as explicit instruction, corrective feedback and consciousness raising. It consists of a study that intends to verify to what extent the fossilization phenomenon can be reverted by providing corrective feedback in a formal learning environment. It also analizes an aspect that is considered restraining on the instruction-learning process the critical period with its corresponding implications regarding fossilization. Data formation consisted in the active observation of English classes of a third age group of a language course belonging to a university in Vale dos Sinos which led to notes on the field diary as well as the use of a structured interview with the subjects of the research, written and oral evaluations and linguistic progress assessment instruments. It is important to take into consideration that the class planning and the course book were chosen aiming the implementation of an explicit instruction approach, specially focused on the results of the provision of varied correction instruments. Based on Larry Selinker s studies about this topic, the present dissertation suggests that without a longitudinal study it is not possible to confirm the occurance of this phenomenon in L2 learners, as well as the long term effects of providing corrective feedback. It also concludes that factors like age and motivation have great influence on the learners susceptibility to the provision of corrective feedback, which prevent them from producing modified input in order to reverse fossilization evidences