Exposure and focus on form

Can you recall the three main ways  in which we learn foreign languages?

Which one is a synonym for 'picking up' language?
Which way relates to our desire to communicate?
Which one is connected with the formal features of a language?

Which two of the three ways are the inspiration for these course book extracts?

Fig 1.

Fig 2.

Figure 1 is an example of a course book focusing on form, in this case students are asked to notice the use of prepositions and nouns. Figure 2 has more of an interactive approach, in this case looking at the functions of giving or refusing permission.


In the past, methods such as the Grammar-Translation method or the Structural approach emphasised focus on form while not relating it to communicative functions. Similarly, some communicative approaches emphasises fluency in interactions without a focus on form. The theories behind acquisition and exposure inspired the Listening approach which promoted extensive listening as the best way to learn a language.

Current research suggests that all three ways are necessary for successful language learning. We call this an eclectic approach. The two extracts above (figures 1 and 2) actually come from the same course book.
A course may have elements from each of the three ways and our focus on acquisition, interaction and focus on form will be influenced by a variety of factors which we will look at over the coming days.

Stephen Krashen is a professor at the University of Southern California. He was a pioneer of the Listening approach (based, in part, on theories of acquisition). In this video he highlights the importance of comprehensible input i.e. making sure that our students can understand the language we expose them to.