Community Language Learning

1. Community Language Learning LING 306 TEFL METHODOLOGY I

2. Key words

3. Background • Consider Ss as ‘whole-person ’- not only INTELLECTUALLY, but Ss’ feelings, physical reaction, instinctive protective reactions. • A Counseling-Learning approach. • Developed by Charles A. Curran, influenced by Carl Rogers’humanistic psychology.

4. Background-cont. • He found that adults often feel threatened and foolish in a new learning situation. • T becomes ‘language counselor- someone who understands the struggle and insecurity in learning a new language. • T is understanding, sensitive, helpful and helps to overcome Ss’ negative feelings into positive energy in learning.

5. Teaching Theory • A whole-person model for education. • La Forge (student of Curran)- 5 stages of learning process as a whole person: -Embryonic Stage : looking for security and sense of belonging. -Self-assertion Stage: gradually obtaining competence in being independent.

6. Teaching Theory-cont. -Reversal Stage : being able to speak independently, refuse unnecessary suggestions. -Adolescence Stage : fully prepared with cognitive competence and be able to accept critics. -Independent Stage : capable to have free conversation with others.

7. Teaching Theory-cont. Consensual validation ）： • S- Security [1] • A- Aggression [2] , Attention [3] • R- Reflection [4] , Retention [5]（-what Ss remembered can be internalized into knowledge. Reflection • D- Discrimination [6]

8. Teaching Theory-cont. • Student-centered- T is counselor, assistant. S is inquirer. • Code-switching- Ss use native lang. and then transit to target lang. • No planned lessons or teaching procedures. Learning is through the interaction between T and Ss.

9. Teaching Activities • Translation: Ss ask in native lang. T translates to target lang. • Small/pair group: discuss a topic, a dialogue or a story.

10. Teaching Activities-cont. • Recording: Ss record the dialogue in target lang. • Transcribing: Ss transcribe the dialogue in target language in written form.

11. Teaching Activities-cont. • Analysing: Ss analyze the written dialogue in target language. • Reflection and observation: Ss reflect what they have learned in the classroom and make an oral report, including expressing their feelings.

12. Teaching Activities-cont. • Listening: Ss listen to T’s monologue. • Free conversation: Ss and T or other Ss can free talk or exchange experience.

13. Strengths of Community Language Learning • Students are interested in learning • Students gain independence – learner autonomy • Students learn inductive techniques • Non-threatening -CLL works especially well with lower levels who are struggling to produce spoken English.

14. Weaknesses • Time is wasted • Teacher can be a poor translator • Students have mixed languages • Insufficient time in school • Risks can be good in learning • No formal evaluation and assessment

15. Evaluation • Will students benefit from CLL? How? • If you use the method, consider the areas that you will need to improve and the areas you find useful in a language classroom. What are they? Why do you want to change them?

16. Something to think about… Curran: ‘Learning is personal. Real learning demands investment in self and others, and authentic relationship and engagement together.’