Presentation

Preventing oral proficiency attrition during extended breaks: Longitudinal evidence from shadowing training in a Japanese EFL context

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Abstract

English oral proficiency in foreign language contexts often undergoes attrition when regular training is interrupted. This study examined the “Shadowing Marathon,” a voluntary summer program conducted from 2021 to 2024 following interactive spring semester courses. The program’s skill focus, duration, and task complexity varied annually. Using Versant Speaking Test scores from April, July, and September, the study investigated the extent of summer attrition and the optimal shadowing task design to mitigate this decline. Results (N = 255) indicated significant proficiency gains during the spring semester but stagnation or decline over summer across all years. Subscore analysis (n = 158) revealed that intervention efficacy depended on the year and subscore type, with high task complexity notably reducing effectiveness. The study concludes that for low-proficiency, self-directed learners, a simple, focused shadowing task with a clear, single objective is crucial for maximizing impact and mitigating L2 skill attrition.

Keywords: shadowing, attrition, oral proficiency, pronunciation, longitudinal, cognitive load

How to Cite:

Nakanishi, N., & Minematsu, N. (2026). Preventing oral proficiency attrition during extended breaks: Longitudinal evidence from shadowing training in a Japanese EFL context. In P. Trofimovich, A. Bodea, T.-N. N. Le, R. Suzuki, & C. Teló (Eds.), Proceedings of the 16th Pronunciation in Second Language Learning and Teaching Conference (pp. 1–11). Concordia University, Montreal, Canada, October 2025. https://doi.org/10.31274/psllt.21332