The Whole Language Approach emphasizes learning language as:
AIsolated grammar rules
BIndividual vocabulary words
CA complete system with meaning
DPhonics and pronunciation drills
Answer:
C. A complete system with meaning
Read Explanation:
The Whole Language Approach
- The Whole Language Approach is a constructivist learning theory that views language acquisition as a natural process, much like learning to speak.
- It emphasizes teaching reading and writing by focusing on the meaning and context of language, rather than breaking it down into isolated skills (like phonics).
- Key principles include:
- Meaningful Context: Language is learned best when encountered in authentic, meaningful contexts (e.g., stories, poems, real-world texts).
- Learner-Centered: It prioritizes the learner's experiences and interests, encouraging them to make connections and construct their own understanding.
- Comprehension over Decoding: While phonics is not ignored, the primary goal is comprehension. Students are encouraged to use context clues and prior knowledge to understand text.
- Integrated Skills: Reading, writing, speaking, and listening are seen as interconnected and should be taught in an integrated manner.
- Process over Product: Emphasis is placed on the learning process, including risk-taking and making mistakes as part of learning.
- Contrast with Phonics: This approach is often contrasted with the phonics approach, which focuses on the relationship between letters and sounds as the primary method for learning to read.
- Origin: Developed in the 1960s and 1970s, it gained significant traction as a teaching methodology.
- Criticism: Critics argue that it may neglect the systematic instruction of phonics, potentially hindering some students' ability to decode words accurately.
- Relevance for Exams: Understanding the core tenets of the Whole Language Approach is crucial for exams testing educational philosophies, language acquisition theories, and teaching methodologies in English Literature and Teaching sections.