Community Language Community Language Learning (CLL)Learning (CLL)

Historical OverviewHistorical Overview

Charles Curran 1972Charles Curran 1972 ““Designer” method of the 70sDesigner” method of the 70s Modeled from Carl Rogers’ view of Modeled from Carl Rogers’ view of

educationeducation Rogers saw classroom as group in Rogers saw classroom as group in

need of therapyneed of therapy Must secure one’s “language Must secure one’s “language

ego” while learningego” while learning

Unique FeaturesUnique Features

Students decide topicsStudents decide topics Teacher translatesTeacher translates Teachers are “counselors”Teachers are “counselors” Students are “clients”Students are “clients” 100% safe100% safe Learning is inductiveLearning is inductive

Today’s LessonToday’s Lesson

Spanish speakers in a Level 1 HS Spanish speakers in a Level 1 HS ESOL classESOL class

Two students converse Two students converse Teacher translatesTeacher translates Listen to tapeListen to tape Inductive learning Inductive learning

EvaluationEvaluation

Teacher asks questions to assess Teacher asks questions to assess gains in:gains in:– GrammarGrammar– VocabularyVocabulary– SyntaxSyntax

StrengthsStrengths

Student interestStudent interest Student Student

independenceindependence Students learn Students learn

inductive inductive techniquestechniques

NonthreateningNonthreatening

WeaknessesWeaknesses

Time wastedTime wasted Teacher poor Teacher poor

translator?translator? Students have Students have

mix of languagesmix of languages Not enough time Not enough time

in schoolin school Risks can be goodRisks can be good

ConclusionConclusion

No one uses only CLLNo one uses only CLL But certain aspects of it may be But certain aspects of it may be

usefuluseful