Language Learning Theories – Condition Oriented vs. Process Oriented
Even when learning a new language, there are theories you should consider. However, anyone should be aware of it, since it affects their way of learning towards the study of a new language. There are two main classes of theories in language learning: condition-oriented and process-oriented. Each emphasizes a different set of factors that play a critical role in how students can best learn. Here are things you need to know:
Condition-oriented theories
These types of theories focus on the human and physical context in which language acquisition can take place. For example, they answer questions like:
- In what situations does a person need to find themselves in order to gain the necessary motivation and experience to successfully adopt a new speech?
- What characteristics does a good language student have?
- Where can you best acquire a language?
Process-oriented theories
In this group of theories, the focus is on the learning processes, rather than on the conditions that allow them to happen. The idea is that if you can break down the processes, you can replicate them for as many people as possible. This includes concepts such as
- habit training
- Hypothesis testing
- Induction
How does this affect you as a language student? Well, if you’re working on acquisition, you probably know that you simply can’t depend on one material to facilitate your learning. Even the best language learning software offers better results when combined with other learning materials. The better versed you are in the theory, the more intelligent choices you can make regarding the mix of study materials.