TKT Unit 10:

Exposure and Focus on Form

By
Porntip Bodeepongse
 Exposure to a language

One way to learn a language by

hearing and reading it all around us
and without studying it, that is,
picking it up automatically (learning
without realising)
 Focus on Form
 To learn a foreign language, exposure to
language is not enough.
 We need to focus our attention on the
form of the target language, i.e. how it is
pronounced or written, how its grammar
is formed and used, the form and
meaning of vocabulary.
 We need to interact and communicate
too.
 Key concepts

There are 3 main ways to learn

a foreign language.
3. Acquisition
4. Interaction
5. Focus on form
 Acquisition
 It’s the same as picking up a language.
 Learners need exposure to lots of examples of
language use, which is rich in variety,
interesting to them and just beyond their level
but not too difficult.
 Acquisition takes place not instantly, but over
a period of time.
 We read and listen to items of language for a
long time (a silent period) before using them.
 Interaction

To learn a language we need to use it:

to interact with other people
to express ourselves

to make our meanings clear to other

people
to understand other people
 Which approach to use?

 We do not learn a foreign language best

through learning grammar and
translating (the grammar-translation
method)
 Nor do we learn by constantly practising
until we form habits (the behaviourist
approach), or just by communicating (the
communicative approach)
 Key concepts

 Learners need exposure to language

both inside and outside the classroom.
 Learning a language is a gradual
process. Learners need time and they
may need a silent period before
producing new language.
 More key concepts
 Learners’ use language in class to interact with
classmates or the teacher gives them
opportunities to experiment with language and
find out how successful their communication is.

 Learners need opportunities to focus on forms

of language they have read or listened to. The
teacher can help them to notice certain points
about language, think about their use and
practise them.
 Key concepts (cont.)

Remember that some learners may

like to learn and/ or are used to
learning in particular ways.
Teachers always need to match
their teaching to the characteristics
and needs of the learner.