Week 3, Entry 6: Learning vs. Acquisition

I know my classroom approach is mostly Learning, maybe because of the curriculum and instructional materials and/or programs that I am required to utilize. I also believe the pendulum swing toward greater accountability and emphasis on assessment has created a tidal wave of requirements of classroom teachers to approach language teaching from the Learning perspective. In many ways the Learning approach is easier to test or evaluate.
However, the Acquisition approach certainly holds merit in teaching language in a context that preserves meaning above all else. Interestingly in reflecting on these 2 approaches, I experienced my foreign language study in high school with both approaches. My freshman year I started French I and heard lots of rumors that the instructor and her class were very hard. The teacher's approach was mostly Learning as we practiced conjugating verbs and memorizing vocabulary. It certainly was a tough class and I had to really study to stay on top. The following summer my family moved and I started a new high school. I proceeded with French II and found Monsignor Groves approach was very different. While we still conjugated verbs and learned new vocabulary, we practiced these skills through a variety of skits, social settings and games. Every quarter, we would have a Culture Day. We would peruse French recipes and choose one to translate, then make at home and bring in to share on Culture Day. All discussions in class on Culture Day had to be in French. Sometimes we would watch a movie in French where Monsignor Groves would pause frequently and ask us to describe what was happening. We would of course discuss vocabulary but also non-verbal cues and gestures to make meaning. Now I know his approach was Acquisition and I know I benefited from this language approach. I could "use" French outside the classroom and even began dreaming in French (my senior year). It was easier to learn and more meaningful.