Community language learning
- 2. Contents • Introduction • Teaching principles • Teaching experience • Conclusion • References and links 2
- 3. Introduction • This method suggests teachers as being: –Act like a counselor –Consider their students as “whole persons”* (p. 85). • “Whole persons” means that teachers focus on the intellectual side of learners as well as the feelings and desires about learning. 3
- 4. • Therefore, Community Language Learning gains its roots from Charles A. Curran, who studied with adults for many years. • He inferred from his experiences that adults often feel insecure and anxious, thus, feel that they can act foolishly. • For this reason, Curran believes that teachers should behave them like counselors, or in other words, “understander”* (p. 85) who can understand their remarkable struggle and help them to overcome their negative feelings. 4
- 5. Teaching Principles* 1. Building a relationship with and among students is quite important. 2. Any new learning experience can be threatening. Therefore, if they know what to do, they can feel more secure. 3. Language is for communication. 5
- 6. 4. The superiority of teacher can be threatening, too. Therefore, if the teacher does not stand in front of the classroom, they may reduce their fear and learning can be carried out in a more facilitative environment. 5. Teachers should be careful about students’ confidence towards the course. 6. Teachers and learners belong to the community which share their feelings and experiences together. 6
- 7. 7. Teacher acts like a counselor and does not offer advice. Instead, he shows that he listens to his students, which creates a relaxing atmosphere. 8. Students’ L2 is used to make the meaning clear and to go from the known to the unknown, which decreases threatening factors. 9. The teacher encourages learner independence. 7
- 8. 10. Learners should have a choice about what they practice, which indicates the importance of learner needs. 11. Learner co-operation is important to build a sense of community. 12. In the beginning of the course, the syllabus is flexible according to students’ needs. 8
- 9. Teaching Experience • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx_we _P3Pic • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ijmO AXIF9Y 9
- 10. Conclusion • As mentioned, this method is quite suitable for adult learners as its main aim is to reduce the stress that most adult learners feel during the class. • Here, we can say that it relies heavily on humanistic approach for language teaching. • Besides, it gives them opportunities to use their experiences as well as enabling them to use L2 for communicative purposes. 10
- 11. References and Links • Larsen-Freeman, D. & Anderson, M. (2011). Techniques & principles in language learning. China: Oxford University Press. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx_we_P3 Pic • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ijmOAXI F9Y 11