The
Difference Between Fluency and Mastery
English
language fluency is a term requiring a concrete definition for students. This will
accurately explains what the term truly means in addition to outlining the
steps that must be taken to acquire such fluency within the greater context of
language learning mastery.
·
When Does One Become Fluent?
What is English language
fluency? The phrase is employed constantly to describe a very high standard of
capability in learners of
The
Oxford English Dictionary, one of the world’s most authoritative sources
regarding definitions of English words, explains fluency as "the ability
to speak or write a particular foreign language easily and accurately."
One can broadly interpret such a term as essentially the ability to understand
the language and be understood in an English speaking country with minimal
misunderstandings.
Such a skill, of course,
entails a significant grasp of English grammatical constructs, many of which
are nuanced and filled with exceptions, as well as an accent that does not
impede comprehension when communicating with native speakers. Achieving this
goal of English language fluency takes a great deal of effort for students learning English as a foreign or second language, usually including
extensive personal experience of living in an English-speaking country.
·
Fluency Versus Mastery
One should not conflate
the term fluency with mastery, which is something quite different altogether.
Whereas English language fluency is a skill attainable to most if not all
committed English language students, mastery requires a number of years of
extensive language study and a phenomenally broad knowledge of vocabulary and
the many exceptions to grammatical rules. There are indeed few English language learners
whose skills have yet reached this level. The same dictionary definies mastery
as "comprehensive knowledge or skill in a particular subject." [2]
Mastery, one could therefore argue, is the pinnacle of the English language
mountain, and one cannot climb to its great height without gaining fluency on
the way. Fluency, then, can be considered as something like a stepping stone in
the intrepid learner’s expedition to the summit of English language learning.
There
are three core elements to fluency that students should spend significant time
studying in order to consider themselves fluent. The first and most obvious is,
of course, written proficiency, the ability to communicate effectively in
formal or informal correspondence with English native speakers. Gaining a
formal qualification in English studies is by far the most effective way of
gaining a fluent proficiency in written English.
The
other two core elements, spoken English and experience of the American culture,
tend to go hand in hand. There is truly no substitute for seizing the
opportunity to explore the real English-speaking world that exists outside of
instructional videos and text books. Any form of study or employment in the
U.S. will very quickly yield results; even a period as short as two or three
weeks immersed in the target language will inevitably lead to improvements. Yet
fluency is only one step closer to the English language learner’s ultimate
goal: mastery of English’s nuances, exceptions, and enormous vocabulary.
·
Transitioning From Fluency to Mastery
Gaining
English language fluency is certainly a great challenge but by no means an
impossible one. Knowing the precise definition of fluency is the first step in
gaining fluency in and mastery of the language. English language learners then
gain fluency by gaining written proficiency, proficiency in spoken English, and
experiencing direct culture immersion.
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