The Analytical approach to language learning

Analytical learners have an advantage in language learning because of their ability to analyze and understand the organizing principles of language systems.

For these learners, their program must take advantage of their analytical ability and also include enough interaction with speakers of the language to ensure real conversational fluency.

Here are some general guidelines to follow when you use the Analytical approach to language learning:

• Base your language learning on lots of written or audio texts.
• Use what you know about the language structure to guide you in planning and setting up your language sessions.
• Use techniques that require you to actually process messages in the language to acquire real communicative ability.
• Do not study the language ONLY as an artifact.
• Use your intuitive ability to recognize patterns.

• Apply your analytical ability to understand

  • cultural themes
  • the way people think, and
  • the language itself.
• Spend time doing things with people.

• Guidelines for Stage 1 of the Analytical approach
• Guidelines for Stage 2 of the Analytical approach
• Guidelines for Stage 3 of the Analytical approach

• Overview module: The Analytical approach to language learning
• In overview module: Four approaches to language learning based on lear...
• In modular book: Ways to Approach Language Learning, by Carol J. Orwig
• In bookshelf: Language Learning

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 3.5, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 21 March 1999

© 1999 SIL International