Learning is the ability to comprehend and recall information.
The Reflective Teaching blog does a great job of summing up the differences between language acquisition and language learning here: https://myrefelectiveteachingnewblogaddress.blogspot.com/2016/04/acqui.html
“Acquisition refers to the ability to put language into practice, the ability to interact with others in a real language environment in order to convey meaning and ideas that will be useful to communicate information. Test taking and learning in a focused mode is not enough. In fact, many people have taken years of language classes without ever really acquiring the language as they have not really experimented or practiced the language.”
As teachers we should try to use the 80/20 principle which suggests that practice should be the majority of what is learned in class 80% of the time, the remaining 20% of the time is dedicated to providing instruction.
The best measure of success by far is language acquisition. Being able to apply what you’ve learned in the grocery store, for example, is better than being able to memorize vocabulary but not apply that vocabulary to real world situations. That being said, all examples of learning are important, including:
- Filling in the blanks with the correct form of a verb
- Practicing dialogue with a partner
- Studying vocabulary
- Using your new language in a foreign country
If you need hands-on experience teaching English, South Bay Literacy will train you for free. Just go to https://southbayliteracy.org/volunteer/ or email sblcoffice@southbayliteracy.org