The 6 Principles of Second language learning (DEECD,2000)

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The 6 Principles of Second language learning
(DEECD,2000)
Learner Centred Principle
Assessment Principle
Immersion Principle
Beliefs and Understandings
Awareness Principle
Responsibility Principle
Focusing Principle

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Principal 1-The Learner Centred Principle

ESL learners learn best when the language input
is relevant to their individual needs, interests
and understandings.
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Teachers need to

• recognise that students bring a first language to
  the learning of a new language, and this provides
  the basis for their learning of the second
  language
• help learners make links between what they
  already know and new concepts and knowledge
• plan for the sharing of knowledge and experience
  of all students
• choose resources that are culturally sensitive
  and accessible
• create an atmosphere that is receptive to, and
  tolerant of, cultural similarities and
  differences

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Principal 2-The Immersion Principle

ESL learners learn best when they are provided
with opportunities to communicate in authentic
school and social contexts.
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Teachers need to

• encourage all students to participate actively
  and to take risks in language use
• provide a wide range of learning activities using
  different groupings, situations and teaching
  strategies
• provide opportunities for students to produce and
  respond to spoken and written text
• provide opportunities for students to use English
  in authentic contexts so that they may gain an
  awareness of how purpose and audience influence
  language choices.

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Principal 3-The Awareness Principle

ESL learners learn best when they are aware of
the reflective use of language and the role and
nature of English.
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Teachers need to

• create an awareness in students that oral
  language can vary according to the audience and
  the purpose
• create an awareness in students of different
  approaches to writing for different purposes and
  for different audiences
• provide opportunities for students to develop the
  language to think and talk about language

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Principal 4-The Focusing Principle

ESL learners learn best when they are focused on
the structures and features of English in order
to develop an increasing control over
communication in school and social contexts.
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Teachers need to

• focus on and explicitly teach specific features
  of text, such as grammar and vocabulary relating
  to a topic or theme
• explicitly teach and model the organisation of
  the text ( linguistic structure) and the language
  choices (linguistic features) relating to the
  purpose.

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Principal 5-The Responsibility principle

• ESL students learn English best when they are
  provided with opportunities to develop strategies
  that enhance communication.

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Teachers need to

• foster the development of learning how-to-learn
  and social interaction skills
• provide opportunities for students to develop
  strategies to facilitate their acquisition of
  English
• help students to become progressively independent
  language learners and users
• encourage students to take responsibility for
  their own learning

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Principal 6-The Assessment Principle

• ESL students learn English best when they are
  provided with appropriate feedback about their
  progress.

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Teachers need to

• set realistic and achievable goals so that
  students can experience success, and so promote
  self-esteem
• support further learning through realistic but
  sensitive feedback and encouragement