MAINTAINING FRENCH AS A 2ND-LANGUAGE IN ADULTHOOD

This article presents findings from some case studies of adult Canadia ns who are successfully maintaining the French second language skills they first learned at school. In line with prior research on language retention, results suggest that higher initial proficiency and amount of second language use are both positively related to the level of ret ained proficiency. Subjects were virtually unanimous on seeing regular use of French as the key to its support, especially in the maintenanc e of speaking skills. Another recurring theme was that of motivation, manifested in the frequent references to choosing interesting and enjo yable language maintenance activities. The retention strategies employ ed by these adults can be categorized as mainly metacognitive and soci al-affective in nature.