Community Language Learning

BY MOHAMMED RHALMI MAY 28, 2009

Background of the CLL

As the Chomskyan linguistic revolution turned linguists and
language teachers away from the audiolingual method which
focused on surface structure and on rote practice of scientifically
produced patterns to a new era where the deep structure is
paramount, psychologists began to see the fundamental
importance of the effective domain. So innovative methods of
language teaching were developed during the 70s to redress the
shortcomings of the audiolingual method. One of these methods
came to be known as Community Language Learning.
CLL differs from other methods by which languages are taught.
Its based on an approach modeled on counseling techniques
that alleviate anxiety, threat and the personal and language
problems a person encounters in the learning of foreign
languages. The method was originally developed by Charles
Curran who was inspired by Carl Rogers view of education. in In
this Counseling-learning model of education, learners in a
classroom are seen as a group rather than as a class, a group in
dire need of certain therapy and counseling . The social
dynamics occurring in the group are very important and a
number of conditions are needed for learning to take place.

Members should interact in an interpersonal relationship.

Students and teachers work together to facilitate learning
by

valuing each other,

lowering the defense that prevent interpersonal

interaction

reducing anxiety

and constituting a supportive community.

Teachers role is that of a true counselor.

They are not perceived as a threat

They dont impose boundaries and limits

They concentrate on the learners needs

Stages in CLL
Learners go through 5 stages in their learning process.
1.

Birth stage: feeling of security and belonging are

established. Dependence on the knower as learners have little or no idea of
the target language.

2.

Self stage: As the learners ability improve and starts to

gt an idea of how language works, they achieve a measure of
independence from the parent although they still seek help
from the knower.
3. Separate existence: Learners can speak independently.
4. Adolescence: The learners are independent although they
are aware of gaps in their knowledge and feel secure enough
to take criticism and being corrected.
5. Independence: Complete independence from the knower.
The child becomes an adult and becomes the knower.

CLL class
Here is what you may find in a CLL class:

Students determine content.

Clients/learners establish an interpersonal relationship and
trust in their native language.
They sit in a circle with the teacher/counselor on the
outside of the circle.
Learners start a conversation.
Learners speak in their native language.
The counselor provides translations and explanations.
Learners repeat the utterances as accurately as they can.

The conversation goes on and my be taped for later use.

Advantages of CLL
CLL is an attempt to overcome the threatening affective
factors in EFL and ESL.

The councelor allow the learners to determine type of

coversation and to analyze the language inductively

The student centered nature of the method can provide

extrincic motivation and capitalize on intinsic motivation.

Disadvantages
The counselor/teacher can become too non directive.
Students often need directions .

The method relies completely on inductive learning. It is

worthwhile noting that deductive learning is also a viable
strategy of learning.

Translation is an intricate and difficult task. The success of

the method relies largely on the translation expertise of the
counselor.