Paradigm shift in Second Language Acquisition (SLA)

Paradigm shift

(a) Based on 40+ years of research and study by leading experts like Dr. Krashen (Comprehensible Input), (b) based on what John Dewey said (Education and Experience) 100 years ago, (c ) based on what Gouin said (The Art of teaching and studying languages) 150 year ago, a paradigm shift is taking place in the SLA field. The SLA landscape is changing. A big shift from traditional approach to modern approach is taking place . The leading organization in the field, ACTFL, is actively promoting this new approach. By, new approach I do not mean something invented few years ago; this has been evolving for about 40 years. The schools, organizations, and countries that realized this shift are enjoying the benefit. Those who are not, or are married to old school of thinking are being left behind with empty bags.

The Change

Most of us will remember a company called Kodak. At one point Kodak was a world leader in photography. What happened now? With digital photography and things like Instagram, a paradigm shift was taking place and Kodak has either failed to see the new wave or refused to change itself. What happened? It went from hero to zero.

It is time for us to change as well. Change is not easy. But, change is the only constant and resistance to change will be costly. So, we have no choice than changing.

What is the change?

The paradigm shift happening in the SLA field is as follows:

Move from traditional approach to modern communicative approach.

Move from language based teaching to competency based approach.

Move from form based approach to meaning making based approach.

Move from mechanical approach to organic approach.

Move from explicit grammar practice, worksheets, spelling activities to community based communication approach.

Move from testing and grading to enjoying and having fun using the language approach.

Move from Academic Oriented approach to Open Exploration approach. 

Move from Language Learning approach to Language Acquisition approach.

Why the change?

It is proven in several studies and from real classroom activities that the old approach to teaching a language does not work very well. The success rate is very low. Unfortunately, the approach goes in the opposite way of how we all acquire language naturally. So, it is up to us to move from the approach with very low success rate to an approach with higher success rate.

Conclusion

Lots of materials are available on language education in the web. Some of them are books and articles by Dr. Krashen (http://sdkrashen.com), workshops by ACTFL, OWL, Dr Ray, Internet resources such as YouTube videos, ACTFL (http://actfl.org), http://OWLanguage.com. Let us understand what is happening, get more information, train ourselves, and be part of the change.

  

Yes, this change is real. The benefits are huge. Let us hop on to the new train and benefit from this.

Thanks

Logu