How to Avoid Fossilization and Embrace Mistakes When You Learn Arabic in Jordan
When you decide to learn Arabic in Jordan, you’re embarking on an exciting journey that offers not just language learning, but also deep cultural immersion. Jordan, with its welcoming people and vibrant culture, is a great place to hone your Arabic skills. But, as with learning any new language, you’ll likely make mistakes. And that’s perfectly okay! In fact, making mistakes is an essential part of mastering Arabic, and avoiding one of the most common pitfalls: fossilization.
The Fear of Making Mistakes in Arabic
Many people hesitate to speak a new language because they’re afraid of getting it wrong. We don’t like being embarrassed, especially when trying to communicate in a difficult language like Arabic. But, just like learning to play an instrument, you’re bound to miss a few notes at first. As Canadian psycholinguist Greg Thompson once said, “The path to ‘speaking well’ runs through the large valley of speaking poorly.”
So, if you plan to learn Arabic in Jordan, remember that mistakes are not failures. They’re gifts.
Embrace Mistakes as Learning Opportunities
What Thompson meant is that language learning is an active process. The more you put yourself out there—attempting conversations in Arabic, even when you’re unsure—the more you’ll improve. Mistakes offer valuable information that helps guide you toward fluency. The awareness of these errors, once embraced, allows for growth. It’s this kind of mindset that will help you progress as you learn Arabic in Jordan.
Understanding Fossilization in Language Learning
When we talk about fossilization, we’re referring to the bad habits that language learners get locked into over time. Fossilization can happen at any stage of learning, even if you’re studying regularly, and is especially common if you’re not receiving enough correction.
Think about it like this: when you’re learning Arabic, your friends or neighbors in Jordan may not correct your mistakes because they understand the general idea of what you’re saying. However, over time, these uncorrected errors can become solidified in your speech, leading to fossilization. You might think you’re communicating well, but proficient speakers will notice your missteps.
For example, instead of saying “I missed my flight” in Arabic the way an Arab would say it, you might use a literal translation that doesn’t make sense to native speakers. These kinds of habitual errors are what fossilization looks like in language learning. (To hear how an Arab would say this phrase, listen to the podcast episode at the 7:32 timestamp).
Noticing the Gap and Noticing the Holes
Two important concepts in language acquisition are “noticing the gap” and “noticing the hole.” Both help learners identify areas where they need improvement.
1. Noticing the Gap happens when you realize that your way of saying something in Arabic differs from how a fluent speaker would express the same idea. This awareness helps you refine your language skills.
2. Noticing the Holes occurs when you’re unable to express something clearly in Arabic because you simply don’t know the necessary words or phrases. This recognition can push you to seek out new vocabulary and structures to fill those holes.
In both cases, actively seeking out these gaps and holes is critical to avoiding fossilization when you learn Arabic in Jordan. Working with a language coach who can point out these differences, correct your mistakes, and help you practice the proper forms will accelerate your learning process.
How Fossilization Happens When You Learn Arabic
One of the challenges of learning Arabic in Jordan—or anywhere else—is that many learners plateau at some point. While plateauing happens when learners stop progressing, fossilization can occur even if you’re still studying but not receiving enough corrections. For instance, if you’ve been learning Arabic for a while and feel comfortable with everyday tasks—like taking a taxi, buying groceries, or chatting with neighbors—you might think you’re doing great. But if you try to discuss deeper topics, like politics or culture, you might struggle. This is a sign of plateauing. You’re proficient in routine tasks but unable to handle more complex conversations.
Fossilization, however, occurs when your language mistakes ossify, but you are unaware you are making those mistakes. This often happens when learners stop pushing themselves or stop receiving feedback from experienced speakers. Fossilization can set in even at advanced stages, especially if learners are no longer being corrected.
Avoiding Fossilization: The Importance of Feedback
When you learn Arabic in Jordan, the local environment offers endless opportunities to practice, but structured learning with a language coach is essential to avoid fossilization. Casual conversations with friends won’t necessarily help you spot the mistakes that are holding you back. While native speakers may understand what you mean, they often won’t correct your speech. That’s where fossilization begins.
To combat this, it’s crucial to work with someone who can correct you gently but consistently. A good language coach will recast your sentences—offering the correct phrasing, writing it down, or even recording it—so you can compare your attempt with the target structure. This helps you become more aware of your errors and move toward more accurate communication.
How to Stay on Track When You Learn Arabic in Jordan
To avoid plateauing and fossilization, incorporate activities that promote both noticing gaps and noticing holes in your language skills. For example, try describing a silent film in Arabic or discussing a current event with your coach. The key is to push yourself into unfamiliar language situations while receiving feedback.
Good language programs are designed to help learners avoid fossilization. Programs that focus on syntax, grammar, and structured feedback are especially effective. When choosing an Arabic language coach or school, look for one that emphasizes correction and interactional focus on problem areas for learners.
Final Thoughts: See Your Mistakes as Gifts
As you learn Arabic in Jordan, remember that mistakes are an inevitable part of the process. But more importantly, they’re invaluable opportunities for growth. The key to avoiding fossilization is to embrace these mistakes, actively seek out corrections, and continue pushing yourself into new language experiences.
A great way to accelerate your learning is by working with language tutors who can offer structured feedback and help you avoid plateauing as well as fossilization. At Shababeek Center for Intercultural Development, we specialize in nurturing learners through corrective feedback, ensuring you gain fluency and accuracy in Levantine Arabic. So, if you’re looking to learn Arabic in Jordan, don’t hesitate to embrace your mistakes—they’re your path to success!
