A series of partial studies aimed at understanding how much progress students can make in 1 year of second language study are described. The first concerns Swedish university students in their first year studying Spanish as a third language in higher education. Students were tested and interviewed for their perceptions of their language ability and the changes they experienced as a result of language study. In addition, research was conducted on: translation processes, using a think-aloud protocol, observation, and retrospection; native speakers' evaluations of the learners' Spanish translation; and features of the students' oral and written interlanguage. A comparison is then made with the interlanguage of Swedish learners of French. In each area of research, the focus is on students' intellectual as well as language skill development. Contains 48 references. (MSE)