You will never know until you hear yourselves. In late seventies, listening comprehension once believed as the best way to learn language for second language acquisition learners. By listening, students at that century were expected to be able to speak better later, understand sentences they heard, have a good writing and reading skills and also enjoy the learning activities. Supported by Krashen’s Hypothesis, The Natural Approach and Total Physical Response were applied in the language classroom.
The Natural Approach consider that, there is an order in language learning. Listening and reading come first, speaking and writing skills later. As one learn language unconsciously, the language input itself does not have to be too much, students should study at their pace. Learning setting, would encourage students to feel confident, motivated, and relax. Drill and practice learning software is also one implementation of this approach.
On the other hand, Total Physical Response believe that motor activities would make learning easier. Learning by doing means, students remember more by taking actions. Few years ago, there was a spelling bee competition in America. The winner, Akeelah memorized difficult words spelling using this approach. She spelt x-a-n-t-o-f-i-l, skipping cheerfully. She could memorize more than hundred words spelling in a day. Latest game developments, introduce wii nitendo and kinect xbox as kinestatic game consoles, which require users movement to play it. While playing, gamers are also learning languages.
Some websites dedicated for learners was developed recently. The content of the web was created to help learners develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Teachers could also bring it into the class. Last but not least we should remember pedagogy first, technology second.
according to you, what kind of approaches do you use in your learning process when you conduct a class???