By introducing the lesson with a whole text (for example, a story, poem, song,
taped listening selection, or cartoon) the teacher is foreshadowing the grammar
explanation. Foreshadowing of new language elements is beneficial, for it provides
“learners with a feel for what is to come”. In this way the lesson stresses the
functional significance of the grammatical structure before the learners’ attention is
focused on form.
Unlike many classroom textbooks, which may offer a group of disconnected
sentences or a contextualized drill a whole language and guided participatory
approach invites the learner to use language functionally and purposefully. As a
result, from the very beginning of the lesson the teacher and learners are engaged
in authentic use of language through
joint problem-solving activities and
interactions. By using picture, mime, gestures the teacher helps learners,
understand the story. When comprehension is achieved, the teacher can then turn
the students’ attention to various linguistic elements.
Unlike bottom-up processing, which is linear in nature, grammar instruction
using a whole language approach is cyclical.
During the first stage of the cycle the teacher foreshadows the grammar
structure with a text. At this point the comprehension of the text is of prime
importance. The second stage is actually an extension of the first stage, since
again emphasis is on the meaning. However it differs from the first stage as
learners’ participation is increased. They participate through TPR activities, mime,
role-playing. All of this activities serve to deepen comprehension for the learners.
Once comprehension is achieved and meaning is understood, the teacher moves
into the third stage and turns the learners’ attention to focus on form. Both teacher
and learners co-construct the grammar explanation. After this stage the teacher
completes the cycle by encouraging the learners to interact using this grammar
structure, through such activities as rewriting or rereading similar stories, paired
activities, or group activities. Through these activities the learners become more
aware of the function of the grammatical structure.
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