Discussion Board #5
Community Language Learning:
Scholar who developed it:
Developed by Charles A. Curan
2-3 strengths
Feeling like they are welcomed to class and are part of a healthy community may help the students stay motivated and continue coming to class.
Creating an environment where the student doesn’t feel judged may allow them to practice the language and speak it confidently even when they make mistakes, instead of shaming them when they make a mistake.
Students don’t get too bored of the class content because they are exposed to a mix of familiar content while being introduced to new content.
2-2 weaknesses
Giving too much comfort to the student might prevent them to learn more effectively. Sometime adding a little bit of pressure might be good for motivating students to learn.
“Students learn best when they chose what to practice,” but there may be times where a student may prefer practicing things that they are already comfortable with instead of studying and reinforcing things that they may not know or know less.
I think that the self evaluation may not be very productive, mainly considering that, generally, language proficiency is rated based on a specific standard. And, if the student is expecting to pass some language proficiency exam, this method may not really help them to be familiar with that is in the text.
Would you like to learn a language using this method? Explain.
I think to some extent. I think at some point, where I own my learning and learn how to use a language for specific communicative goals.
Would you like to teach a language using this method? Explain.
Maybe to some extent. There are some parts I kind of didn’t like that much because it gives a lot of autonomy to the student, and I think it might be a little bit confusing for the student to learn about things that they either don’t were aware of in a language, or unconsciously avoid essential parts in a language because they don’t feel comfortable with this. However, I think that this method may be helpful for maybe online learning. This way the student has a guide on what to study an may contact the teacher whenever they have a question regarding the pronunciation of a word or better understanding a piece of content. This way the teacher also fulfills their role as human computer.
Do you have any experience learning with this method? Share.
I don’t think I have. However, I have heard some of the experiences that some students at Northern have with learning Spanish and it kiiiind of sounds similar. However, there are some things that are different that the professor might be changing or modifying in this method. In addition to this, I will be taking a German class next semester. It will be online and I am guessing that I may encounter some of the things mentioned in this method.
One sentence/instruction that teacher might say to their students if they would only teach that specific method.
“Be ready to become the owner of your own learning. I will teach you the basics, but once you feel comfortable with it, you’ll be able to establish a specific road that will determine your personal learning path.”
Total Physical Response:
Scholar who developed it:
James Asher
2-3 strengths
Creates a fun experience that may help the student to stay engaged throughout the class
The teacher is actively participating and engaging with the class, which may help the student feel less intimidated in class participation
Learning basic commands may also help the student to link more advanced concepts related to these initial commands
2-2 weaknesses
I think that sometimes students may need some kind of push to encourage them to speak. Otherwise, they may not be able to practice it during class.
This method may get a little bit more tricky as the students are introduced to more complex levels of the language, like writing an academic essay, or writing a formal email.
Would you like to learn a language using this method? Explain.
Yeah, I think so. It looks like an engaging way to learn a language, or at least get me started with it while keeping me engaged.
Would you like to teach a language using this method? Explain.
Yes, for sure. I think it will help students to feel less intimidated with language learning. Plus, by physically enacting what some basic instructions, will allow them to feel like they are in control of the class content, which may encourage them to continue learning the language.
Do you have any experience learning with this method? Share.
I don’t recall using this method when I learned English. It might have been there at some points, but I probably don’t remember. Some of the things discussed in this method kind of makes sense in some areas.
One sentence/instruction that teacher might say to their students if they would only teach that specific method.
“You will be studying English in a way that is similar to the way you learned Swedish. You
will not speak at first. Rather, you will just listen to me and do as I do. I will give you
a command to do something in English, and you will do the actions along with me. I
will need four volunteers to help me with the lesson.” (I copied it from the textbook but I think it is pretty accurate.