Question

Which principle of language teaching suggests that listening and speaking skills should be prioritized before reading and writing?

• A. Principle of Habit Formation
• B. Principle of Naturalness
• C. Principle of Learning by Doing
• D. Principle of Gradation and Sequencing

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Principle of Naturalness

• The Principle of Naturalness in language teaching aligns with the way children acquire their first language.
• This principle emphasizes that language learning should mimic the natural process of oral communication first, followed by literacy skills.
• It suggests a developmental order: listening and speaking (receptive and productive oral skills) are the foundational stages.
• Reading (receptive literacy skill) and writing (productive literacy skill) are then introduced once a basic level of oral proficiency is established.
• This approach is often associated with methods like the Oral Approach and the Audiolingual Method, which heavily focused on spoken language drills and habit formation.
• Prioritizing listening and speaking helps learners develop fluency and confidence in using the language orally before they engage with the complexities of written language.
• This is particularly relevant for competitive exams that assess pedagogical principles in language teaching, often testing understanding of different methodologies and their underlying theories.
• Understanding the Principle of Naturalness is crucial for educators to design effective language curricula that follow a logical progression of skill development.
• This principle is also sometimes referred to as the "Law of First Language Acquisition" in pedagogical contexts.