Here, we will discuss in detail the essential “Principles of Language Learning and Teaching“. Let’s follow.
Principles of Language Learning and Teaching
- Teach listening and speaking first, reading and writing next. Writing does not represent intonation, rhythm, stress structures, etc., and the transfer from audio to visual learning is greater. Good models of speech are needed for language teaching.
- · Have the students memorize basic conventional sentences accurately. This principle has psychological and linguistic justification.
- · Encourage the students to use the patterns learned in practice so that it becomes a habit.
- · Teach sound systems structurally by demonstration, imitation, and contrasts, and encourage children to produce speech rather than simply comprehending it. Practice will increase fluency and flexibility.
- · Keep the vocabulary load to a minimum. Students are mastering sound systems and grammatical patterns because it is not the vocabulary that constitutes language but the pattern, sound contrast, and sequences.
- · Gradually teach the patterns step by step. Language acquisition is a complex habit & it has to be acquired slowly. I:e; begin with sentences (not words), teaching requests, greetings, introduce sub-sentences, structured words, modification structures; add new elements to the previous pattern. i.e. after you teach the pattern, Do you understand, you can teach what, when, and where questions; follow the principles of programming.
- · Avoid teaching language through translation. Psychologically the “process of translation” is more complex and unnecessary because it presupposes a conceptual understanding of both languages.
- · Teach the language as it is true of the educated native speakers of the language, not in terms of what it ought to be if it communicates the intention of the speaker.
- · Quantity and permanence of learning are dependent on practice. Hence, it encourages children to practice the language. Linguistics has also emphasized practice through memorization and pattern practice
- · Skinnerians believe that shaping and promptings are necessary for helping the child to respond. Hence, give articulatory or other hints to help the students to articulate their response
- · Give immediate reward or appreciation when language learning is up to the mark.
- · Teach the meaning of language as it exists in a particular culture where the language is spoken natively.