Level of proficiency was a central focus for the study carried out by
Hart, Lapkin and Swain on the acquisition of French by anglophone
Canadian speakers. Their principal research question was whether the
greatest linguistic gains are made by the least proficient learners. This issue was explored by examining three main areas:
— what gains in French language proficiency are made during the
three-month stay in Quebec?
— do gains differ by skill area? (speaking, listening, reading, writing)
— do gains differ by proficiency level prior to the exchange?