PERSPECTIVES ON LANGUAGE AS HUMAN BEHAVIOR
EXCERPTS FROM WILGA RIVERS*
 
TOPIC: LANGUAGE AS HUMAN BEHAVIOR / IMPLICATIONS FOR INSTRUCTION
I. LANGUAGE AS HUMAN BEHAVIOR
A. Importance of interactive relationship
    1. Communication becomes a possibility (reflects concept of interaction as the basis of communication and
      that natural language occurs in context.)
        a. Maintain continual use of language in interaction as basis of learning/teaching.
        b. Effective language learning depends on an interactive approach
            1) emphasize whole fabric of language     2) expressing meaning
            3) leave room for originality     4) theory can suggest ideas to teachers, not impose them
    2. Essential elements of language class is interaction
        a. Students involved together in language use activities
        b. Highest degree of indirect leadership (giving up control) & emotional maturity
    3. Seek a well rounded approach to language teaching
        a. Get comfortable with ideas and students     b. Feel free to experiment and innovate
        c. Create situations in which language is used
        d. Be prepared to wait for students to struggle and persevere with their own control
        e. Remain optimistic
B. Implied need for flexibility and understanding of rationale for actions
    1. Establish solid base for choice in context of varying abilities, interests, etc. of students.
        a. Selection of techniques and activities in accord with various factors
            1) teacher's / students' personalities     2) educational ideals of teacher
            3) needs and learning preferences of students
    2. Use target language for normal purposes of interaction throughout instruction
    3. Begin early to clarify concepts and rationales about language, learning, teaching, etc
    4. Develop and maintain a file of teaching materials: activities, songs, realia, etc.
    5. Help students see whole picture before reducing instruction to discrete items.
    6. Bridge the gap between skill-getting and skill-using with pseudocommunication
 

*Wilga Rivers. (1988). Teaching Spanish: A Practical Guide, National Textbook Company
Excerpts by Dr. David W. Gurney, Ph. D.
SPRING 1998

Return to Foreign Language Education page

Return to Home Page