Why Advanced Concept Learning Through Holistic Language Acquisition Is Important

Although many methods exist to teach people languages, instructors often struggle with the fact that one way often does not meet the needs of every student. Students learn at different paces and have preferences based on current understandings and skills that all play a part in learning new material. Therefore, implementing a multi-faceted approach can help many learners acquire new languages more effectively. Specifically, holistic language acquisition provides a method to open up fresh ways to learn advanced concepts when used alongside traditional language-learning practices.

1. Enables Child Learning

For children in the process of learning a native language, holistic language acquisition can enhance their experience. For instance, instructors set up learning spaces where children get exposed to stories dramatically read aloud and have access to materials and information that can inform them via their senses. As they get exposed to the new material, they can ask questions and make new connections to the words via play. Using creative avenues for exploration helps students learn advanced concepts more fully and rapidly than if using traditional language acquisition methods alone.

2. Helps Adult Learning

For English as a Second Language, known as ESL, students and any adults wishing to learn advanced concepts like secondary language acquisition, holistic acquisition of the new language can also benefit them. Adults bring much previous life experience and language understanding to the classroom, so using teaching methods that help them connect past learning to new subjects greatly speeds up new language acquisition.

3. Offers Creative Learning

When the teacher facilitates language learning via play and the senses, it opens up a wellspring of creative means for students to access the new subject. This approach often suits students who resist a more top-down authoritarian teaching style.

Finally, combining holistic language acquisition with traditional teaching methods means that students gain a more profound correlation to the new language because they have connected with it sensorily. Moreover, this integration significantly impacts students’ knowledge of languages more than often happens when only employing traditional methods.

Ricky Mulhall