Janet,

I think that the activities of a language learner, and the attitude of a
language learner, are quite similar to those of someone learning to sing.
First one has to listen and get used to the sounds and rhythm. And one has
to find a way to enjoy the learning process. For a more complete description
of my view of language learning you can look at my
article<http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/the-three-stages-of-language-fluency/>which
appeared on Pickthebrain.com today.

Steve
On Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 6:05 AM, Janet Isserlis <Janet_Isserlis at brown.edu>
wrote:


>  Steve and all

>

> I don't *think* you're saying that English learning should be like music

> appreciation – that one can enjoy either (language or music) with no basis

> of prior expectation, concepts or assumptions?  That the language or the

> music will just be heard and appreciated?

>

> Surely, part of the language learning process involves

> receiving/hearing/taking in.  But for learning to occur, active processes of

> meaning-making have to happen.

>

> In order to learn, to make meaning, there needs to be some basis of prior

> understanding, of a world view, yes, of assumptions.  The critical thinking

> part (in the target language, in this case English) may, for some, be merely

> a matter of learning the words to translate thoughts from a first language

> into English).  For others, it's a process of asking questions, weighing

> options, learning more about possibilities and consequences.

>

> Janet

>

>

>

>

> *From: *Steve Kaufmann <steve at thelinguist.com>

> *Reply-To: *The Adult Literacy Professional Development Discussion List <

> professionaldevelopment at nifl.gov>

> *Date: *Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:43:00 -0700

> *

> *

> > I am of the opinion that beginner ESL learners should be allowed to

> listen to the language and try to enjoy it, with little requirement to state

> what their assumptions are on anything.

>

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-- 
Steve Kaufmann
www.lingq.com
1-604-922-8514
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