Okay. What is it going to be form-focused or communicative or a combination of both. Back up your thoughts with some of the studies in LS Ch. 6
In my opinion it must be a combination of both to better promote language learning. Classroom practices must illustrate both of these approaches. Students need to learn the specific stucture grammar of a language in order to communicate properly. Communicative approach allows them to put into action the dialogue needed to practice that particular grammar.
It is important to stray away from the sergeant drill and practice although it has been proven to work but to reshape it by creating a more open forum for communication. I know there is the concern of early fossilization of errors but we need to step back and not look at errors so negatively because even natives make errors in their own language. Mistakes are inescapable. Don't we learn from them if provided with some positive corrective feedback? In other words we should make sure they understand the connections between the form and the meaning (if the situation calls for clarification) without disrupting the learning and making them feel belittled.
Giving students opportunities to interact is a big component because they are involved in making meaning in an non-threatening environment. The teacher needs to set up goals so that a task-based instruction is enforced and students do not stray away from the focus of the lesson, which is why teaching needs to be motivational so students are engaged in meaningful language from the very beginning.
An approach, strategy, practice, and technique are very limited when they stand alone. Students are so diverse when it comes to learning that we need to know the how, when, where, why, what, and to whom in order to use these techniques effectively.
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About Me
- Janette
- Born in Mexico City, raised in Texas, residing in San Antonio. Currently teaching at New Frontiers Academy where I have taught Kinder and First Grade. I have been fortunate to choose a profession that teaches all other professions. I am double blessed to work in an environment that allows students to learn from me but for me to learn from them.
5 comments:
Janette,
I'm with you in all you say. Drills may work, but only with highly motivated students and the effects are long-lasting only when there is a follow up with communication opportunities. I like what you say about letting students interact because in that way they have several "teachers" with several teaching styles. I agree also on the fact that errors are constantly made by native speakers, and I will add that native speakers also make "errors" in comprehension, for example, when native speakers listen to a song or even to a fast paced conversation, like in a movie, Do we really, comprehend every single word? When we watch movies, my husband (a native English monolingual) often asks me (me!) for what it was said in the movie :-)
Ana
Janette,
Fabulous presentation today! I also agree with what you say here in most respects. I am not sure wherer I fall on the subject of students correcting each other, though. In my experience, students have a number of reasons NOT to correct each other, particularly if the students are adults. There may be some sociocultural factors involved, such as respecting your elders, or some fear of not correcting because they do not feel they are sure of the correct form themselves. However, I believe strongly that the most effective forum for ppracticing language (especially new language) is through interaction with others, not just strictly with the teachers.
The studies on feedback I have read in this other books definitely supports giving feedback but by paying attention to effective comunication and what the meaning of the utterance is rather than simply correcting every mistake the learners make. Like Ana and you both say here,
even nartive speakers make mistakes/errors, and yet we get our meaning across.
I totally agree with you. I'd like to add that it is the motivated children and adults that are going to learn quicker. If they don't have it with them and we don't create opportunities for them to find it within them, then we've lost the battle.
Janette,
Great presentation!!!
I agree with you, a combination of both, form-focus and communicative orientations are needed to enhance language learning. Also, providing a non-threatening environment lowers the affective filter, and students will be motivate to learn.
Janette,
As reflective teachers, we must implment what it takes for students to learn. I do believe that we must implment both approaches in our classrooms, but for some reason I like the communicative language teaching approach. I feel that it goes better with Bilingual Education strategies.
Polo
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