Module 1 – Grammar

Achievabletarget, goal
An aim that is not too difficult for the learner to reach.

Acquisition noun, acquire verb To learn a language without studying it, just by hearing and/or reading and then using it. This is the way we all learn our first language.

Attention span How long a student is able to concentrate at any one time.

Auditory learner: see learning style.

Cognitive (processes) The mental processes involved in thinking, understanding or learning.

Confidence The feeling someone has when they are sure of their ability to do something well. Teachers often do activities that help students to feel more confident about their own ability.

Conscious (of) To know that something exists or is happening, or to have knowledge or experience of something; to be aware.

Deductive learning An approach to learning in which students are first taught the rules and given all the information they need about the language. Then they use these rules in language activities. See inductive learning.

Demotivate: see motivation.

Developmental error: see error.

Error A mistake that a learner makes when trying to say something above their level of language or language processing. A developmental error is an error made by a second language learner which could also be made by a young person learning their mother tongue as part of their normal development, e.g. I goed there last week (I went there last week). See slip.

Expectation noun A belief that something will happen, e.g. He has an expectation that he will win.