LANGUAGE LEARNING
Is the traditional method of language learning effective?
How is it possible that we can spend several years learning a language and ultimately not be able to use it to communicate with others?
Why is it that even with perfect knowledge of grammatical rules we cannot speak fluently?
How is it that we have knowledge of language but are unable to use it?
Language learning
The traditional model of language learning assumes language learning ,
and not language acquisition .
Traditional model
In the traditional model, one usually learns a language by first listening to the teacher's theories and explanations (often in the mother tongue) and then practising the issue with examples.
Language is often treated as static matter that can be encapsulated into rules and learned by heart.
Which path leads to fluidity?
METHOD
Language acquisition
According to Dr Stephen Krashen's theory: We all acquire languages in the same way.
We acquire a language through exposure to comprehensible content in that language.
In other words, when we understand what we hear. We call it - Comprehensible input (CI).
According to Theory of Language Acquisition (SLA – Second Language Acquisition), when we understand what we hear, the brain decodes the new language and creates a mental map of it.
We assimilate language by listening to content that we understand and interacting with it naturally. We do not acquire a language by learning its theoretical foundations and completing exercises. This model of learning does not lead to fluency in the language.
Dr Stephen Krashen, an American linguist and researcher, is the founder of the Theory of Language Acquisition (SLA).
In this video (2:10), Dr. Stephen Krashen outlines the differences between the traditional model and teaching with Comprehensible input.
LEARNING
THEORY + EXERCISES = LANGUAGE KNOWLEDGE
ACQUISITION
COMPREHENSIBLE INPUT (CI) + INTERACTION = FLUIDITY
BASICS
Comprehensible input
According to Dr Krashen comprehensible input (CI), i.e. exposure to content we can understand, is the only way we can effectively acquire a new language.
With comprehensible input you immerse yourself in the language and gradually acquire new structures and words.
You don't need to understand every single word, but the context and the main message. You do not need to know the grammatical rules of the structures used, the most important thing is that you understand them. There is no need to know the name of each tense or the types of pronouns.
First you will understand the new language and then you will start speaking it.
Do you have questions?
Find answers on the Frequently Asked Questions page.
The primary function of language is communication.
Communication
„In the end, learners get language in their heads through interaction with the language in communicative contexts rather than through study and practice.”
BILL VANPATTEN – Profesor języka hiszpańskiego i przyswajania języków obcych.
Why is it important for us to speak other languages?
We want to communicate with others. In courses/classes where the aim is to develop communication skills, using language to communicate is essential.
Communicating, rather than practising selected grammatical issues in an artificial way and without context and function.
Teachers are responsible for creating the conditions for genuine and natural interaction with language.
STORYTELLING
Stories have accompanied mankind since time began. It is only natural for us to tell and listen to stories.
Storytelling allows a large amount of comprehensible input (CI) to be delivered in a natural and interesting way.
It is one of the most effective tools in language teaching.
Why?
We immerse ourselves in the language.
Context helps to understand new words.
We unconsciously acquire grammatical structures.
Drawings/images facilitate understanding.
Language acquisition is not only natural and exciting, but also provides amazing results in a relatively short period of time.
You may be surprised how much you will understand after just 10 hours classes with Comprehensible input!
Shall we get started?
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