Factors Influencing Language Teaching and Language Learning
In previous chapter Dilara and I (Uğur) told you about The Post-method Era. Dilara
talked about Eclecticism which means the use of any method, any technique or any procedure
that would help particular in a given context. She talked about Communicative Methods and
Post-method Era. Post-method Era is a universally acceptable method which is a combination
of the certain methods. She also touched upon Principles of Communicative Language Teaching.
Under these principles she talked about Grammatical, Sociolinguistic, Discourse, and Strategic
Competences. We finally took a glance at Theoretical Background. Then I started with the
Classroom Procedures. I talked about selection of the materials and the characteristics of
CLT. We finished the presentation talking about the Task-based Teaching and Cooperative
Language Learning.
We will talk about Factors Influencing Language Teaching and Language Learning in
this chapter. We have mentioned about lots of approaches in language learning up to the
present. The reason of the researchers is giving a new and useful way to the learners in
language learning. In learning a second language may be the main instrument is not all these
approaches and methods whıch is written in books. The most important instrument of the
learning is the student and the teacher in class. In a classroom environment roles of the
teacher and the learners are more important than the roles of the materials and methods.
Therefore for a successful language atmosphere, apart from having good materials and
employing an effective method, an understanding of the teacher and learner along with the
factors influencing their teaching and learning behaviour is necessary. The factors influencing
language teaching differs from in some ways: biological, cognitive, affective, and instructional
but they do not operate in an isolated way. The teaching and learning atmosphere is
connected with each other sensitively. We can discuss these factors under six main
categories:
Cognitive Factors: We can take into account the background knowledge, cognitive
style, aptitude and intelligence with cognitive factors. It is related to meaningful learning,
background knowledge or in which ways a learner can. Cognitive style means that
everybody has a different learning style while learning a language. For example some
learners are field-dependent or field- independent. A field-independent learner distinguishes
parts from a whole on the contrary, a field-dependent learner, takes all the existing factors
on a particular issue as a whole. Aptitude is a special capacity to learn something easily.
There always been a talented student in a classroom. Intelligence is also another granted
biological talent. But it should be implied that a learner can be intelligent but he/she may
not be a good language learner. The reverse is also possible. Effective factors: introversion
and extraversion, motivation or attitude can be established as the subtitles of effective factors.
To talk about the affective factors, we should imply the self-concept. The person who has a
self-concept doesn’t afraid of making mistake while speaking the target language. Introversion
and Extroversion are other aspects of effective factors. It is not clear if it helps or hinders
the process of second language learning. But it is very true that the motivation is the vital
factor of learning a language. It can be defined as a inner drive, impulse, or desire that
leads to a particular action. Attitude is closely related to motivation and they are often used
together as one construct. Attitude can be positive or negative according to motivation of the
learner. And this likes or dislikes detect our learning process.
Personality Factors: Nowadays, education has changed into personal differences
between the students and it has always been stated that the should give importance of
personal differences. Self-esteem is a very important influence on the language learning
process. Cognitive or affective activities take place in the presence of self-esteem, self-
confidence, knowledge of oneself, and assurance about one’s capabilities. To be successful in
language learning, the learner should be risk-taking, and he/she should also has empathy and
anxiety of some degree. Empathy refers to putting yourself in the place of another person.
Socio-Cultural Factors: To establish a convenient classroom mood is related with the socio-
cultural awareness and background of the student and teacher. If learner feels at home in
class and see their peers as friends, it will be easier to participate in the classroom activities.
Language is a cultural device.
In biological factors are related with gender and age. Gender is a significative aspect
in language learning. Females do better in second language learning than males. Another
factor is age. Children acquire language in a shorter time than adults.
