The first study to use a narrative perspective to explore the motivation and identity behind native-like ultimate attainment

How do some language learners triumph against all odds, despite not having obvious heritage links or spending extended periods of time in the L2 environment pre-adulthood? This book delves into the autobiographical stories of learners who achieve nativelike proficiency, opening a narrative window into their experiences and offering insights into their pathways to success. The in-depth analysis ties together a wide range of potentially relevant topics, from motivational vision and international posture to issues of identity, endurance and even musical ability, among other themes. The authors explore whether these successes can be repeated by others and the book will be of use to language teachers interested in learner motivation and the antecedents to high-level ultimate attainment. The book will also be of great interest to researchers working in the areas of language learner psychology, especially in topics concerning language learning motivation, identity and narrative inquiry.

"This book provides a fascinating analysis of how highly successful language learners achieve the ultimate gold standard of ‘passing for a native speaker’. It is a deeply engaging account that offers valuable lessons for us all (language learners, teachers, researchers), and offers a poignant memory of Zoltán Dörnyei’s passionate enthusiasm for his subject." - Ema Ushioda, University of Warwick, UK

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With this highly original book the authors have shed light on a group of learners who reached the foreign language equivalent of the top of Everest. Rather than subjecting them to endless tests and measurements, the authors listened to what they had to say about their exceptional journey.

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On reading this book one is left with the overwhelming impression that it is as unique and exceptional as the participants of the research project and the individual trajectories which emerge from the narratives offered during the interviews.

"...the book is concise, clearly-structured, and extremely well-thought out, with chapter subheadings making the volume suitable for dipping into and out of as needed. Indeed, the breadth and depth of the new perspectives contained in the work mean that this volume is highly recommended for all scholars interested in any aspect of applied linguistics and second language acquisition [...] it would also be of relevance for language teachers and for any advanced language learners seeking to gain academic perspectives on how to proceed beyond the CEFR C2 level [...] a ground-breaking work with immense potential to influence the future scope of research in this valuable and important area." - Antony Hoyte-West, Independent Scholar, UK, Theory and Practice of Second Language Acquisitionvol. 9 (2), 2023