off the WAL

Close up of The Thinker

Originally uploaded by marttj

What have I learned about second language acquisition?

1. That it is systematic, rule-governed and yet it is a creative process of discovery.
2. It involves acting on received language input by trying to make responses and by making plenty of mistakes in the new language.
3. It involves interacting with others and using language as a tool for differing purposes.
4. Learning is accomplished by people with different personalities and different learning styles.
5. It takes time.

A classroom should be a rich environment providing for a variety of experiences. Each learner has to be encouraged to use his/her languages in new ways. Each student needs to speak with peers and instructors should recognize and respect individual differences.

The learner must take risks. Risk taking is essential in second language learning. It can be a little scary but risk taking was the way each of us acquired our first language. Social interaction and cultural understandings are essential to learning a language as well. Learning a language is a wonderful mind altering experience which lasts much longer than any artificial mind altering experience.

At WAL we accommodate diverse learning styles within the context of our semi-intensive language program.