Language Learning Principles

I. Cognitive Principles [Brain]

1. Automaticity [reflex]

2. Meaningful Learning [serving a purpose]

3. The Anticipation Reward [short-term success]

4. The Intrinsic Motivation Principle [needs and wants]

5. Strategic Investment [personal time]

II. Affective Principles [Feelings]

1. Language Ego [Who am I as a speaker?]

2. Self-Confidence [I can do this!]

3. Risk Taking [courage]

4. The Language-Culture Connection [language reflects culture/speakers' thinking]

III. Linguistic Principles [Structure]

1. The Native Language Effect [positive and negative]

2. Interlanguage [grammar rules in speaker's mind]

3. Communicative Competence [ability to connect]

a. Organizational (grammar/discourse) [using structure to communicate]

b. Pragmatic (functional/sociolinguistic) [using language with others]

c. Strategic (meaning) [getting message across]

d. Psychomotor Skills (pronunciation) [being comprehensible]

Source: Teaching by Principles (1994), H.D. Brown