Community Language Learning: Exploring a Student-
Centered Approach
Introduction to Community
Language Learning
● Developed in the 1970s by Charles Curran
● Based on counseling principles from Carl
Rogers
● Emphasizes learner-centered approach
● No predetermined lesson objectives
● Teacher acts as a "counselor" or facilitator
Key Principles of CLL
● Learners design their own lesson content
● Focus on authentic interaction between students
● Supportive community environment
● Teacher provides translations and explanations
● Reflection and analysis of new language
Basic CLL Classroom
Setup
● Learners sit in a circle
● Audio recorder placed in the center
● Teacher/counselor remains outside the
circle
● How does this setup differ from traditional
classrooms you've experienced?
The CLL Process
● Students initiate conversation in native language
● Teacher translates into target language
● Students repeat new language
● Conversation is recorded for later use
● What benefits do you see in this approach?
Role of the Teacher in
CLL
● Acts as a "counselor" rather than
traditional teacher
● Provides translations and explanations
● Supports learners emotionally and
linguistically
● Facilitates reflection and analysis
● How might this role impact student
anxiety?
Student-Centered Learning
● Students determine conversation topics
● Authentic, personally relevant language use
● Increased student talking time
● Develops autonomy and self-direction
● What challenges might arise from this approach?
Use of Native Language
● Initial conversations in students' first language
● Gradual transition to target language
● Reduces anxiety and lowers affective filter
● Allows for complex ideas from the start
● How might this compare to "target language only" approaches?
Recording and
Transcription
● Conversations recorded for later analysis
● Teacher transcribes dialogue on the board
● Students can see written form of spoken
language
● Allows for multiple exposures to new
language
● What advantages does this offer over
traditional note-taking?
Focus on Whole-Person Learning
● Addresses cognitive and affective aspects of learning
● Builds relationships between students and teacher
● Encourages expression of thoughts and feelings
● Supports development of learner identity in new language
● How might this impact student motivation?
Stages of Learning in CLL
● Stage 1: Total dependence on teacher/counselor
● Stage 2: Asserting independence
● Stage 3: Separate existence expressed
● Stage 4: Learning to swim
● Stage 5: Independent swimming
● Which stage do you think would be most challenging?
Benefits of CLL
● Reduces learner anxiety
● Promotes a supportive learning community
● Encourages authentic communication
● Develops learner autonomy
● Integrates all language skills naturally
Challenges of CLL
● Requires high proficiency from teacher in both languages
● Can be time-consuming
● May be difficult to implement in large classes
● Some learners may prefer more structure
● How might these challenges be addressed?
CLL and Translation
● Uses translation as a learning tool
● Helps students understand meaning quickly
● Allows for complex ideas from beginning
● May lead to over-reliance on translation
● How does this compare to your experiences with translation in
language learning?
CLL and Affective
Factors
● Aims to lower anxiety and raise self-
esteem
● Creates a safe, supportive environment
● Addresses emotional aspects of language
learning
● Recognizes impact of feelings on learning
process
● How important do you think emotional
factors are in language acquisition?
CLL and Cultural Understanding
● Encourages discussion of cultural topics
● Allows for exploration of cultural differences
● Promotes intercultural communication skills
● Supports development of cultural sensitivity
● How might this approach enhance cultural learning compared to
textbook-based methods?
CLL and Language Skills Development
● Integrates listening, speaking, reading, and writing
● Emphasizes oral communication initially
● Gradually introduces written language
● Promotes natural language acquisition
● Which skills do you think would develop fastest using this
method?
CLL and Learner
Autonomy
● Encourages students to take responsibility
for learning
● Develops skills for independent language
use
● Promotes self-reflection and self-
evaluation
● Prepares learners for lifelong language
learning
● How might this impact your approach to
studying languages?
CLL in Modern Language Classrooms
● Can be adapted for various teaching contexts
● Often combined with other communicative approaches
● May use technology for recording and analysis
● Principles can inform teacher-student relationships
● How might you incorporate CLL principles in your own language
learning?
Criticisms of CLL
● May not provide enough structure for some learners
● Heavy reliance on teacher's language skills
● Can be challenging to assess progress
● May not align with standardized curriculum requirements
● What are your thoughts on these potential drawbacks?
Conclusion: The Legacy
of CLL
● Influenced development of humanistic
approaches
● Highlighted importance of affective factors
in language learning
● Contributed to learner-centered teaching
philosophies
● Continues to inform aspects of
communicative language teaching
● How might CLL principles shape the future
of language education?
