Community Language Learning Explained

Описание: What is Community Language Learning?

Community Language Learning (CLL) is one of the most distinctive and humanistic methods in TESOL history. Developed in the 1970s as a response to audiolingualism, it places learners’ emotions, relationships, and sense of community at the centre of language learning.
In this lecture-style episode, we explore how Community Language Learning works in practice, where it came from, and why it was such a radical departure from teacher-centred methods.

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We examine CLL’s theoretical foundations in humanistic psychology, its distinctive classroom procedures, and the shifting roles of teachers and learners. Crucially, we also look at the limitations of CLL and why it was never widely adopted as a complete method, despite its lasting influence on communicative language teaching, task-based learning, and learner-centred pedagogy.

This episode is designed for TESOL students, teacher educators, and practising teachers who want a deeper understanding of how affect, autonomy, and community shape language learning.

Topics covered include:
What Community Language Learning is and where it came from
Humanistic psychology and the counseling-learning metaphor
How a CLL lesson works (step by step)
Teacher and learner roles in CLL
Strengths, critiques, and limitations
What CLL still offers today’s language teachers

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Community Language Learning (CLL)
01:43 Origins and Theoretical Foundations of CLL
02:32 Core Assumptions of CLL
03:45 Classroom Practices and Teacher Roles in CLL
05:18 Core Principles of CLL
06:54 A Typical CLL Lesson
09:17 Strengths and Contributions of CLL
10:01 Limitations and Challenges of CLL
11:16 CLL in Contemporary TESOL
12:05 Practical Takeaways for Teachers
12:38 Conclusion and Reflective Questions

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