Community Language Learning

Community Language Learning By, Shira, Christine and Joe

One of these guys may be the inventor of Community Language Learning, Charles A. Curran. But we can not verify that.

This constructivist approach allows students to create their own language experience. They control the dialogue discussed. The teacher is referred to as the knower. Class sizes are small. Students sit in a circle. This technique can only be guided with a “knower” of the students L1.

There are five psychological stages students go through as learning progresses in CLL.

1. “Birth” - Learners know nothing of the L2. They are insecure and require intense knower involvement. • 2. “Self” The learners begin to develop a familiarity with the L2 but still require knower intervention. • 3. “Separate Existence” - Learners want to be independent and they have a desire to use the L2 without the knower. • 4. “Adolescence” - Learner is more independent but also more doubtful. The knower is used as a sounding board for the learners concerns. • 5. “Independence” - Learners no longer need the knower and often become knowers themselves.

Characteristics of the CLL • Teacher student centered • Everyone has to have the same L1. • It is inductive in terms of grammar. • Specific Example • Practice • Give Rules • Culture/language is part of the language learning process.

It is difficult to find examples of this educational style in practice. Except on the internet using web 2.0 tools. Why is this so?

Sit with your groups. Discuss the pros and cons of this language approach. Fill out the provided T-chart with your groups. Help us answer the questions… Why is the Community Language Learning method not in regular practice? Is there any way you could implement this method in your own classrooms? Why/How has this learning method been adopted by the internet language learning community?

Community Language Learning