The more I dissect the intricacies of language, the more at ease I feel, but this is a feeling I have built through a lot of reading, sharing and studying. This used to be completely different a couple of years ago…
As language speakers and learners, we end up placing too much pressure on the process, which is why we may get stuck. It seems we haven’t been open to playing with the language and engaging actively and playfully with its nuances. This is an anathema to most English teachers and speakers in general.
We want to speak naturally, but we can’t deal with the very nature of language, especially with natural speech and its imperfections. We should embrace this inherent nature of language and its pitfalls, otherwise our experience is likely to be flawed.
Most learners have to deal with language queries themselves, whereas others may rely on the support of a tutor or teacher. Conversely, another question may arise: Is this something teachable?
I am very confident this is teachable, but not sustainable if autonomy isn't instilled in learners. Although I am an ardent believer in this, I recognize there are variations, and the most important aspect is being equipped to navigate its ebb and flow. From a technical standpoint, in "Working with Emergent Language," some insightful ideas grounded in the communicative view of language provide us with food for thought as learners. After thoroughly examining some core ideas in the book, along with drawing from my experience, and ideas that have been running through my mind, I have come up with the following ideas to be incorporated into our learning and teaching journey:
Learners should be encouraged to enjoy opportunities to notice language gaps in their performance and seek guidance from teachers.
Our attention should also be drawn to both positive use of language and creative combinations in a negotiation among teachers, speakers and the language noticed.
Understanding that Language arises in meaningful interactions for learners, rather than purely from curated and divided materials used to transmit knowledge to learners.
Language pitfalls should be embraced as an opportunity to turn miscommunication into part of a developmental trajectory, especially when it comes to advanced learners. While I agree that advanced learners should be prompted to employ sophisticated language, the sense of imperfection and intangibility of a language should not fall by the wayside.
Language exploration should be an ally of speakers to combat accent bias. Varying the learner's repertoire and diving into the nuances of language and becoming more equipped to handle a myriad of communication circumstances.
Embracing what natural interaction may offer to work on "negotiation of meaning", such as: hesitation and stops ; rephrasing and self correction ; rhythm with emotion ; pause to think ; mispronunciation or not finishing a word in a natural conversational environment when there is a breakdown in communication.
Thank you for taking the time to read my message. I would love to hear your ideas.
If you are a learner: What do you find particularly challenging when handling natural conversations and engaging in unexpected communication situations?
If you are a learner-teacher: How have you helped your students navigate these challenges?
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