Lewis & Lewis - Language Support Resource


Language Support Resource
Lewis & Lewis Home I Introduction I Observational Profile I General Principles I General Activities

GENERAL TEACHING PRINCIPLES

Principles for designing the language teaching

When developing activities to facilitate students’ language learning, there are some basic principles to which one should adhere. As outlined by Dr John Munro in the Language Support Program, teach language knowledge and skills:

that allow students to better express their available meanings and their intentions at any time;

that assist students to achieve their own goals and desired purposes;

that match students’ current knowledge about language and their world;

that reflects students’ preferred learning styles;

that ensure students are able to pursue other goals and intentions;

in a range of situations so students learn how that language can be used to achieve goals in a range of contexts;

by providing concentrated, salient examples that make the aspect of language you are teaching stand out clearly;

in contexts which clarify and reinforce meaning, e.g. where there is concrete referential support;

in natural exchanges in the students’ worlds as well as in manipulated interactions and use them to communicate ‘real’ or authentic messages;

in contexts in which students have the opportunity to communicate interactively and simply not be 'communicated with';

by providing opportunity for sharing and for feedback for the students; and,

that allow students the opportunity for optimal communication practice.