Fluency is more important than accuracy when you’re learning a second language. True or False? Learning second language brings many difficulties for learners and the biggest dilemma for teachers is to decide whether to take a fluency-oriented or accuracy-oriented approach. Both have advantages and disadvantages, so which one is the most efficient? Can we really separate learning process into accuracy and fluency or is it something that constantly overlaps?
The modern view of accuracy-oriented approach is rather negative. “This view is called the accuracy-oriented approach. Practices that focus on repetition of newly introduced forms or grammatical structures are thought to help the learning. Although once supported by many linguists, nowadays it is seen as rather obsolete. ” Nakagawa, (2002).
– Teaching Speaking: From Accuracy vs. Fluency to Accuracy plus Fluency. Putting too much effort on learning grammatical rules may impact on natural acquisition of speech. The brain may develop an excessive monitor in the mind that would interrupt the learning process.
Stern (1991) shares Nakagawa’s opinion and also suggests that from learners perspective this approach may be demotivating and boring. On the other hand without accuracy the language, no matter how fluent, will never be correct without learning some grammar rules. To avoid overgeneralization (i. e. child and childs, not children) among other things, learning grammar is essential. Fluency-oriented approach for both the teacher and a learner is much more difficult because it is based on instinct and a lot of practice in reading, listening and speaking is needed.
The Essay on Ferdinand De Saussure – Approach To Language
According to Saussure, language is a system of signs that develops over time. However, embedded words only carry meaning if people agree on a mutual understanding, which is provoked by a certain sound. This mutual idea then transforms into a common sign for the given idea. Further, Saussure puts forward the idea of langue and parole, in which langue does not carry social meaning but only names, ...
Communication in a second language can be successful even without proper grammar or sophisticated words. Meaning can be conveyed using key words, limited vocabulary. Fluency has big impact on the flow of the conversation. Sarah Short (2009) wrote that speaker who is not prepared to answer in a sophisticated way, and still tries to, will have a conversation that will die quickly. On the other hand if the same speaker answers using simple key words, it gives the field for further questions and for the conversation to carry on.
Many linguists, based on my research, agree that both approaches should be balanced and used together. Learning grammatical rules as well as trying to speak fluently without too many interruptions for corrections sounds like the best way to take. Nakagawa (2002) suggests adding accuracy elements into communicative activity as well as adding communicative practice to repetitive activities. I have found many activities on teacher support websites that combine both fluency and accuracy and, what’s important, they have very positive feedback from internet users.
Looking at my past, where I learned both English and Japanese languages by accuracy-oriented approach that only later transformed into fluency, and also as a teacher of those both languages as a foreign language – I try to combine grammar and speeches. Things like writing a grammatically correct diary and giving a speech about it is my example of combining fluency and accuracy in learning second language. I have positive results in most of my students, with some exceptions. As a result of my research, I cannot agree with the topic that fluency is more important than accuracy.
The Review on First Language and Learning English
Language is the most dynamic form of symbolism that cultures possesses. Language is the medium in which people interact and communicate for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and feelings. Language acquisition has been one of the most intriguing aspects of human nature and had been the focus of different disciplines. For the most part, language acquisition had been theorized and conceptualized in ...
Accuracy without fluency would make conversations end very quickly and has a potential of interrupting learning process. Fluency without accuracy will enable people to hold a conversation but this alone will not bring development to language skills.
