The Structured approach to language learning

Structured learners will want to follow a thoroughly structured program. They can design it for themselves or follow a program such as those suggested by Greg Thomson or Herb Purnell.

If you are a Structured learner, language school classes or structured sessions with the language associate may appeal to you more than the unstructured and unpredictable time spent in informal activities with people. You need both structured and unstructured activities to make the most of your learning.

You may enjoy planning the structured part of your program. If you work with someone who is not good at planning, you may be able to help them plan a program. Just remember to plan it for their learning style, not for yours.

Here are some general guidelines to follow when you use the Structured approach to language learning:

• Plan well.
• Include a structured component in your language learning.
• Use what you learn in your structured sessions in some unstructured situations.
• Use Guidelines for a language and culture learning program or a developed program such as those listed in the Introduction.
• Use your problem-solving ability to figure out how the language works.
• Find practical applications for what you learn.

• Guidelines for Stage 1 of the Structured approach
• Guidelines for Stage 2 of the Structured approach
• Guidelines for Stage 3 of the Structured approach

• Overview module: The Structured approach to language learning
• In overview module: Four approaches to language learning based on lear...
• In modular book: Ways to Approach Language Learning, by Carol J. Orwig
• In bookshelf: Language Learning

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 3.5, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 21 March 1999

© 1999 SIL International