Comprehension approach
Encyclopedia
The comprehension approach is an umbrella term
which refers to several methodologies of language learning that emphasise understanding of language
rather than speaking. This is in contrast to the better-known communicative approach
, under which learning is thought to emerge through language production
, i.e. a focus on speech and writing
.
The comprehension approach is most strongly associated with the linguists Harris Winitz, Stephen Krashen
, Tracy D. Terrell
and James J. Asher. The comprehension-based methodology mostly commonly found in classrooms is Asher's Total Physical Response
approach; Krashen and Terrell's Natural Approach has not been widely applied. English as a Second Language Podcast
is a more recent application of the comprehension approach grounded in Krashen's theories.
The comprehension approach is based on theories of linguistics
, specifically Krashen's theories of second language acquisition
, and is also inspired by research on second language acquisition
in children, particularly the silent period
phenomenon in which many young learners initially tend towards minimal speaking. In contrast, the communicative approach is largely a product of research in language education
.
Winitz founded the International Linguistics Corporation in 1976 to supply comprehension-based materials known as The Learnables; several positive articles have been published testing these picturebooks with their accompanying audio recordings, mostly with Winitz as co-author.
Umbrella term
An umbrella term is a word that provides a superset or grouping of concepts that all fall under a single common category. Umbrella term is also called a hypernym. For example, cryptology is an umbrella term that encompasses cryptography and cryptanalysis, among other fields...
which refers to several methodologies of language learning that emphasise understanding of language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
rather than speaking. This is in contrast to the better-known communicative approach
Communicative language teaching
Communicative language teaching is an approach to the teaching of second and foreign languages that emphasizes interaction as both the means and the ultimate goal of learning a language...
, under which learning is thought to emerge through language production
Language production
In psycholinguistics, language production is the production of spoken or written language. It describes all of the stages between having a concept, and translating that concept into linguistic form...
, i.e. a focus on speech and writing
Writing
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols . It is distinguished from illustration, such as cave drawing and painting, and non-symbolic preservation of language via non-textual media, such as magnetic tape audio.Writing most likely...
.
The comprehension approach is most strongly associated with the linguists Harris Winitz, Stephen Krashen
Stephen Krashen
Stephen Krashen is professor emeritus at the University of Southern California, who moved from the linguistics department to the faculty of the School of Education in 1994. He is a linguist, educational researcher, and activist.-Work:...
, Tracy D. Terrell
Tracy D. Terrell
Tracy D. Terrell was an education theorist who, along with Stephen Krashen, wrote The Natural Approach. The natural approach is a comprehension-based language learning methodology which emphasizes the idea of exposure and the lowering of affective or emotional barriers to learning.Terrell was a...
and James J. Asher. The comprehension-based methodology mostly commonly found in classrooms is Asher's Total Physical Response
Total Physical Response
Total Physical Response is a method developed by Dr. James J. Asher, a professor emeritus of psychology at San José State University, to aid learning second languages...
approach; Krashen and Terrell's Natural Approach has not been widely applied. English as a Second Language Podcast
English as a Second Language Podcast
English as a Second Language Podcastis a web-based English language-learning podcast. It is the first and longest-running English language learning podcast on the Internet. It was launched in July 2005 by two former university professors, Dr. Jeff McQuillan and Dr. Lucy Tse of the Center for...
is a more recent application of the comprehension approach grounded in Krashen's theories.
The comprehension approach is based on theories of linguistics
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
, specifically Krashen's theories of second language acquisition
Second language acquisition
Second-language acquisition or second-language learning is the process by which people learn a second language. Second-language acquisition is also the name of the scientific discipline devoted to studying that process...
, and is also inspired by research on second language acquisition
Second language acquisition
Second-language acquisition or second-language learning is the process by which people learn a second language. Second-language acquisition is also the name of the scientific discipline devoted to studying that process...
in children, particularly the silent period
Silent period
The silent period is a stage in second language acquisition where learners do not attempt to speak. Silent periods are more common in children than in adult learners, as there is often more pressure on adult learners to speak during the early stages of acquisition...
phenomenon in which many young learners initially tend towards minimal speaking. In contrast, the communicative approach is largely a product of research in language education
Language education
Language education is the teaching and learning of a foreign or second language. Language education is a branch of applied linguistics.- Need for language education :...
.
Winitz founded the International Linguistics Corporation in 1976 to supply comprehension-based materials known as The Learnables; several positive articles have been published testing these picturebooks with their accompanying audio recordings, mostly with Winitz as co-author.