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Can You Learn Language in Class? II

In case the Moodle download is not working, here is the PDF for my lecture on learning language in class (Part 2). JP-in-class

We can promote SLA through interaction, negotiating for meaning and creating comprehensible input (i + 1). In this process, we may or may not be ready to acquire some grammar points. We possess this readiness or teachability because we acquire grammar points in predictable sequences. As we acquire through i + 1, we can deliberately focus on grammar at the end (inductively) after using it in real communication, and lastly we can acquire language as we focus primarily on meaningful messages through content-based instruction.

Can You Learn Language in Class? I

LanguageClassIn case the Moodle download is not working, here is the PDF for my lecture on learning language in class.

We can acquire a second language without going to class, so do language classes actually help us acquire language? We can research the “open systems” of language classes, but this research is complicated by many variables. Research shows that traditional “accuracy” approaches don’t always produce fluency and accuracy that they aim for. But communicative approaches do help learners improve, and learners enjoy them more.

Improving Language Teaching (Part 2)

talk2In case the Moodle download is not working, here is the PDF for my lecture on Improving Language Teaching.

Even with language focused lessons, we can (1) begin with a meaningful event or stimulus, and (2) we can keep lessons focused on meaning by knowing the traits or principles of communicative activities and (3) the four faces of communicative competence. (4) By knowing these things, we can take dull language-focused lessons and make them more meaningful and communicative.

Improving Language Teaching (Part 1)

LectureIn case the Moodle download is not working, here is the PDF for my lecture on Improving Language Teaching.

Summary. To promote meaningful language learning, we can (1) encourage natural interactions that focus on real messages; we can (2) create real life situations that require meaningful communication, (i.e., communicative language learning); we can (3) observe these interactions and situations in order to increase meaningfulness, and we can (4) understand the nature of mistakes and feedback in order to improve meaningful communication.

Language of Learners (Part 2)

LanguageOfLearnersIn case the Moodle download is not working, here is the PDF for my lecture Language of Learners (Part 2).

Summary: For making good sense, we need words. But as the previous quotes and anecdotes show, we also need more than words. We need to make good sociolinguistic and pragmatic sense. We need to make good phonological sense, and we need to to make good lexical and grammatical sense.