Katarina Mentzelopoulos on Exceptionalism in Language Learning

Teacher Talking Time: The Learn YOUR English Podcast

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Katarina Mentzelopoulos is an ESRC-funded Ph.D. student at the University of Nottingham, UK. Her research interests include language learning motivation, exceptional language learning, multilingualism and learner identity.

She recently co-authored two books with the late Zoltán Dörnyei:

• Stories from Exceptional Language Learners Who Have Achieved Nativelike Proficiency (50% discount code STORIES50 until 30/11)

• Lessons from Exceptional Language Learners Who Have Achieved Nativelike Proficiency (50% discount code LESSONS50 until 31/10)

The books tell the stories of people who achieved native-like proficiency against all odds.

In this episode, Katarina discusses:

• what exceptionalism in language learning means

• the critical period hypothesis

• polyglots vs mastering a language

• how they selected participants for the books & their stories

• why native-like isn’t necessarily the standard and what is instead

• markedness versus proficiency

• why forming a bond with the language is integral

• working with Zoltán Dörnyei and his legacy

Read more about this episode on the LYE blog.

More on Katarina Mentzelopoulos:

Follow her on Twitter

Book 1: Stories

Book 2: Lessons

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