Principles of Second Language Teaching

  Principles of Second Language Teaching
It should now be clear to you that in India and especially in Bihar, English is learnt as second 
language, because some of the English words, phrases, and sentences are in frequent use in 
our society. Teaching methodologies driven by varying theoretical approaches can be 
effective in the classroom, depending on the material being presented, the goals of the lesson, 
and the target students.
What is known about second language learning is that language is learned communicatively, 
through the process of building meaning in a collaborative context.
Here are some of the principles regarding second language teaching - learning process:
1. Learning through habit formation
Learning a language involves forming certain habits. At the beginning stage, a teacher 
ensures habit formation through oral, reading and writing exercises related to the target 
language, here for example, English.
2. Learning through communication
Language is used for communicating ideas, opinions and asking others for information etc. 
So being a language teacher you should provide more and more opportunities to your learners 
to communicate with one and another in the classroom or outside. You can do it by 
conducting activities like self-introduction, introducing friends, picture description, 
describing any incident, group discussion, and also oral exercises as suggested in the 
textbooks.
3. Learning through use
We use a language in different ways. We listen to news, lectures, discussion and enjoy music. 
We speak to others to communicate our ideas, feelings, and thoughts. We read books, 
newspapers etc. We write letters, emails, reports etc. Through all these activities, we learn 
languages. Therefore, it is important that we should provide opportunities to our learners to 
listen to the language, understand it, and speak it. This means that the learners must use the 
language first orally and then they may be motivated to read from the wrappers, signboards, 
black board, textbook, or the newspaper.
4. Learning from context
Children learn a lot through a variety of situations in a social context. Language is not used in 
isolation. We speak only when there is someone to talk to and we listen to when someone 
talks to us. Similarly, we write only when there is need to write, be it a letter, an SMS, 
application or filling in a form, or preparing a report. That means we use a language if there is 
a person or a situation or a purpose or need felt by us.
5. Learning through Activity
We all know children enjoy being active. They like to do things. They like playing, drawing, 
colouring, singing, talking, role-playing, and doing other activities. These activities are 
interesting, amusing, and enjoyable for children. Such engaging atmosphere provides a better 
context for learning the target language. So being a teacher, you must provide more and 
more opportunities for your learners to be engaged in such creative activities.
You should keep the following points in mind:
 Second language learners utilize their knowledge of their first language in learning their second. Language learning is supported through meaningful interaction, which should 
therefore focus on the communicative functions of language.
 Language learners require comprehensible 'input' that serves as a model of what they 
are to learn.

 During teaching, this comprehensible input should be provided and repeated until the 
students become adept in it.
 Any focus on grammatical form should serve communicative needs.
Activity
1. Which of the above-mentioned principles of second language learning have you been       using in your class? Give examples.
2. Think of tasks/activities that according to you would be most compatible with the principles mentioned above.