The Communicative-Experiential Approach

The communicative-experiential approach is guided by an educational philosophy that includes the following principles:

• As much as possible, language learning should emulate authentic language use.
• The goal of language learning is performance with language rather than knowledge about the language.
• Language learning is not additively sequential but recursive and paced differently at various stages of acquisition.
• Language develops in a series of approximations toward native-like norms. Language learning is not the accumulation of perfectly mastered elements of grammar and vocabulary. Thus, learner errors are to be expected.
• Language proficiency involves both comprehension and production. Comprehension abilities tend to precede and exceed productive abilities.
• Language is inextricably bound to culture. Language use requires an understanding of the cultural context within which communication takes place.
• Language learning is complex. Instruction takes into account individual learning styles and rates, and also attends to teaching process strategies for successful learning.
• The ability to perform with language is facilitated when students actively engage in meaningful, authentic, and purposeful language-learning tasks.
• Assessment reflects instructional goals and is performance oriented.
• Technology and textbook materials play support roles for language-learning goals; they should not determine curriculum.

(Adapted from "Teaching and Learning K-12 Authentic Instruction Communication," Section 7.19, ASCD Curriculum Handbook, September 1994.)