Learner Needs, Teacher Skills and Classroom Resources

Abstract

One of the key factors in language teaching is getting the right balance between teacher/learner input, whole class teaching/small group work, and teaching language as "form" or "function" (i.e. focussing on either accuracy or fluency). A model is proposed providing four main types of language learning activity which takes these factors into account. Regardless of the amount of language control and teacher intervention, activities are communicative. Finally, the model is used to illustrate key roles in the classroom for both teachers and learners.