Fossilization describes what phenomenon?

Fossilization describes what phenomenon?

• A. A momentary mistake during speech
• B. A deliberate learning strategy
• C. A feature of native speaker fluency
• D. A persistent error becomes habitual due to lack of corrective feedback

Answer: (D)

Fossilization happens when a learner’s error becomes a habit, continuing over time because corrective feedback or practice didn’t push that form to improve. In language learning, people experiment with forms in an interlanguage, and if those incorrect forms aren’t consistently challenged or reinforced toward the correct option, they can become entrenched. This isn’t a momentary slip during speech, nor a deliberate study strategy, and it isn’t a sign that a learner has native-like fluency with that error still present. Rather, it reflects a stabilization of an incorrect pattern—often seen in pronunciation, grammar, or article use—where persistent exposure to the correct form is limited or not effectively addressed. So the strongest description is a persistent error that becomes habitual due to lack of corrective feedback and ongoing, targeted practice.

Fossilization happens when a learner’s error becomes a habit, continuing over time because corrective feedback or practice didn’t push that form to improve. In language learning, people experiment with forms in an interlanguage, and if those incorrect forms aren’t consistently challenged or reinforced toward the correct option, they can become entrenched. This isn’t a momentary slip during speech, nor a deliberate study strategy, and it isn’t a sign that a learner has native-like fluency with that error still present. Rather, it reflects a stabilization of an incorrect pattern—often seen in pronunciation, grammar, or article use—where persistent exposure to the correct form is limited or not effectively addressed. So the strongest description is a persistent error that becomes habitual due to lack of corrective feedback and ongoing, targeted practice.