What Does it Mean to “Teach” a Language?

#72What does it mean to “teach” a language? In this episode I look at this question, particularly considering the shifts in language teaching and learning over the past 10 years or so. My approach to this question is grounded in a quote from Larson-Freeman and Long that a professor shared with me in graduate school. It continues to guide my approach to teaching. "[It is not] because some plants will grow in a desert, [that] watering the ones in your garden is a waste of time. In fact, of course, while the desert may provide the minimum conditions for a plant to grow, watering it may help it grow faster, bigger, and stronger, that is to realize its full potential.”    [Diane Larsen-Freeman, Michael H. Long; An Introduction to Second Language Acquisition Research (1990)]Links mentioned in this episodeEpisode 41: Practice or Communication (Practice, Activity, Task)______________________________Work with Joshua either in person or remotely.______________________________Sign up for Talking Points for tips, tools and resources for language teaching.______________________________Let's connect!wlclassrom.comTwitter:  @wlclassroomInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomWLClassroom Facebook Group______________________________Teachers want to hear from you and what you are proud of in your classroom.Join me on the podcast.  We record conversations remotely, so you can be anywhere.