Re: We haven't got up to 'yes" yet!
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2018 5:48 pm
There is no doubt that “some” introductory language courses are either quite simply poorly-designed or seemingly front-loaded with essential information which will be of use only once the student has acquired a basic understanding of the L2’s structure along with a basic vocabulary of high-frequency words and the like. However, to imply that “all” courses fail the student is a bit of a stretch. Furthermore …
In my view, the author is making a “false comparison” between (a) acquiring sufficient listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills so as to be able to establish a deep contact with the L2 culture, albeit sometime in the distant future perhaps after years of study, and (b) meeting the essential requirements of a traveller whose sojourn to the L2 country will be short and whose “immediate needs” are the typical transactional type communications which take place in predictable situations.
The solution to this “problem” is NOT to redesign “type a” introductory language courses so that they will fulfil the “type b” requirements. The solution is quite simple: use a phrase-book-style language aid to the traveller. Surely the author is aware of these tools; unless, of course, this paper was just another totally forgettable publish-or-perish effort at maintaining his current employment.
By the way, a sample size of one student?
In my view, the author is making a “false comparison” between (a) acquiring sufficient listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills so as to be able to establish a deep contact with the L2 culture, albeit sometime in the distant future perhaps after years of study, and (b) meeting the essential requirements of a traveller whose sojourn to the L2 country will be short and whose “immediate needs” are the typical transactional type communications which take place in predictable situations.
The solution to this “problem” is NOT to redesign “type a” introductory language courses so that they will fulfil the “type b” requirements. The solution is quite simple: use a phrase-book-style language aid to the traveller. Surely the author is aware of these tools; unless, of course, this paper was just another totally forgettable publish-or-perish effort at maintaining his current employment.
By the way, a sample size of one student?