working on it just to have it deleted again.
Here is what I wrote.
LingQ is an online community and language learning method, created by Steve Kaufmann and his son Mark, who live in West Vancouver, Canada. The learning methodology is based on Steve Kaufmann's own experience in learning to speak 11 languages, as well as the influence of two important modern educators. These are Stephen Krashen, who emphasizes the crucial role of meaningful input in language acquisition; and Ivan Illitch, who proposed the creation of convivial learning communities to replace formal schooling.
LingQ members come from all continents and countries of the world. They create language content for each other, help each other, exchange language lessons with each other, and encourage each other. As a result, learners are able to choose from a constantly growing library of language content, graded by level of difficulty, in ten different languages. This content is available for free download, to listen to and read. At present, these languages are English, Spanish, Mandarin, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, German, Swedish, and Italian.
The LingQ community is encouraged to create 'LingQs' in order to better notice the words, phrases and patterns of the language. In this way each member is constantly building up a personal database, which generates Flash Cards, statistical records of activity and achievement, and other learning functions customized to each learner.
Grammar instruction and error correction are available from member tutors but are considered less important than motivation, mutual encouragement and constant listening and reading and reviewing of words and phrases.
The term LingQ is a play on the word link. Language learning is considered a process of creating links; between words, sounds, meaning and people, and eventual y between neurons as new language skill s are acquired.
Steve Kaufmann has written a book about language learning cal ed The Way of the Linguist,
A Language Learning Odyssey. He maintains a blog called The Linguist on Language, and has a
channel at Youtube explaining his language learning philosophy.
How I would teach a language class. I am not a language teacher. If I were, this is what I would do. This is a draft, a start. I look forward to comments and criticisms.
Class size:
Let us assume that there are about 20 students in the class. The method would have to be modified depending on the age and level of the students, and the size of the class.
Methodology:
I would tel the class that the only way they are going to improve in the language is if they find a way to enjoy spending time with the language. My only goal therefore is to help them enjoy the language. Their goal should just be to find a way to enjoy the language. I do not care how well they speak, nor how well they understand. I will not judge them. I am here only to help them. I only ask that they spend time with the language in some way.
I would ask everyone to enrolling LingQ. I would ask them to prepare a three ring binder, which will be their own language course and record of achievement. This will include printed texts, vocabulary lists, writing assignments and other material that they can print from LingQ. It will also include verb or noun tables or any other grammar resources that they print from the Internet. I would help find these resources and help them organize their binder, which will become their own textbook and growing language portfolio.
The class:
I would ask them all to bring MP3 players to class. I would also make sure that students all have access to computers, whether at home, or at school, or elsewhere.
During class time, I would divide them into three groups, changing them around, perhaps every 15 minutes or so, or perhaps after longer intervals . I would have to try this out.
Group 1: Listeners
Activity: Listening to things that interest them, or to assigned content items from LingQ, on their MP3 players, while sitting in class. Al of these audio recordings will have texts as well .
There would be no test of comprehension. Learners would be obliged to create LingQs from this content as homework, and as a record of the fact that they have interacted with the content.
Group 2: Readers
Activity: Reading quietly in class. If we have enough computers in class, this can consist of reading on computers and creating LingQs. Otherwise the learners will read printed texts and underline the words and phrases they need help with. Learners would create LingQs later, as homework, when they have access to a computer.
Group 3: Speakers
This group will sit with me and talk in a corner. Students will have with them vocabulary lists printed out at home. They will try to use these words in discussion.
I will fol ow up the discussion with a Discussion Report, sent via LingQ, listing all the words and phrases that caused problems in our discussion, including some explanations of grammar and usage. These reports would be Imported and studied at LingQ.
Questions:
The last ten minutes of every class will be available for questions. Learners will ask questions about anything related to the language or the content they are listening to and reading. They may ask in their own language or the language being learned.
Learners can also ask questions via LingQ's forum for each lesson, in their own language or the target language, while working on the computer at home.
One class in five will be devoted entirely to questions, or as needed.
Al question periods will be fol owed by a report from me in the target language, to be imported and studied, consisting of words and phrases and examples related to the questions that came up.
Homework:
Homework will consist of the fol owing. (Homework may also be done during class time if computers are available and time permits.)
1) Create LingQs: 20 minutes daily.
2) Review LingQ Flash Cards received by email: 20 minutes daily or whenever received.
3) Submit writing assignments once a week: These are submitted through LingQ, and returned with LingQ writing report. 30 minutes, once a week
4) Spend time on the LingQ Forum: 10 minutes daily
Assessment:
I would fol ow the activity index of all learners. They would be able to see each other's level of activity on the Community. I would recognize the most active learners. I would stress activity over achievement.
