Royal University of Phnom Penh

Institute of Foreign language

Department of english

Incidental
learning
Lecturer: Chau Samphas
Presenter: Lim chenchhing

Class: M 4.2
Academic year: 2023-2024
 What is incidental
learning?

the term incidental learning, is the kind of

learning that happens unintentionally or
unplanned as we engage in other activities
Example of incidental learning
Classroom application
Classroom application
Why it is important?
Why it is important?
 Conclusion

Incidental learning brings numerous benefits

for both students and teachers by blending
education with enjoyment.
 References

https://numberdyslexia.com/incidental-learning-vs-intentional-learning/

https://eric.ed.gov/?

id=ED446234#:~:text=Incidental%20learning%20is%20unintentional%20or,the%20process%20of%20c

ompleting%20tasks.

https://effectiviology.com/incidental-learning/
Thank you
very much!
So, what exactly is incidental learning? I believe that some of you here could guess what this term
means. So this term comes from the words incidental and learning. Incidental means that something
happens by chance or without plan. Therefore, the term incidental learning, is the kind of learning that
happens unintentionally or unplanned as we engage in other activities. So basically, we learn something
by picking it up from cultures, social interaction, or solving problems without any formal instruction or
education.

For example, let’s say a person who is interested in video games. He loves playing as well as watching it.
As a result, that person may pick up some slang or informal language in the gaming community without
studying it. Or maybe someone who enjoys watching English movies may end up improving their
vocabulary and listening skills. These are what we consider as Incidental learning because we do
something for fun but end up learning something new.

So, how can we apply this type of learning into our classroom? Let’s think about this, when you were in
elementary school, Did you see posters on the wall in your classroom? Because throughout my academic
life especially during elementary level, I have seen many posters sticking on the wall including about
animals, fruits, or plants or sometimes about proverbs or quotes. As a result, during the breaktime, I
usually had nothing to do, so I would go and read those posters. And because of that, I learned new
things without realizing that I was learning it. Because there was no one to tell me to study it, I only
looked at those posters because it was intriguing. And I believe that you may have learned many
proverbs or words unconsciously as well from the posters as well.

Another idea is to have students make their own posters about things they enjoy. While doing this, they
not only learn more about their hobbies but also get a chance to be more creative. It's a fun way for
them to learn without even realizing that they are learning.

In Cambodia, incidental learning holds great significance for both English learners and teachers. It shows
a crucial point that sometimes education isn't restricted to formal education alone. This approach
emphasizes that knowledge can be gained unconsciously, fostering a more natural learning experience.
For example, putting up posters about grammar in the classroom gives students a fun way to grasp
grammar rules without formal lessons. Incidental learning is great because it helps them pick up
language skills in a relaxed and stress-free setting. Imagine it like kids joyfully working on puzzles – this
kind of engaging, pressure-free atmosphere not only makes learning enjoyable but also motivates
students to delve deeper into their studies.

Another great thing about incidental learning is that it's flexible and easy to access. It happens in
different situations, like daily experiences and interactions, making it a flexible way for people to learn
new things. For instance, students who spend a lot of time commuting or working, can use their time to
listen to something they enjoy and gain knowledge in a relaxed way.

In summary, incidental learning brings numerous benefits for both students and teachers by blending
education with enjoyment. This spontaneous way of picking up knowledge through personal interests
helps students naturally develop language skills. Although sometimes, it might not always align perfectly
with what’s gonna appear on the exams, we should value its significant contribution to a well-rounded
language proficiency. Beyond exam structures, incidental learning encourages a practical grasp of
language, enabling students to handle real-life situations effectively. Despite its potential challenges in
exam-focused settings, we should embrace the overall advantages of incidental learning, as it nurtures a
lifelong passion for education.