Community Language Learning

Community language learning (CLL) is an approach in which students work together to develop what aspects of a language they would like to learn. The teacher acts as a counselor and a paraphraser, while the learner acts as a collaborator, although sometimes this role can be changed.

The Community Language Learning Method takes its principles from the more general (Counseling-Learning approach developed by Charles A.Curran. Curran studied adult learning for many years. Curran believed that away to deal with the fears of students is for teacher to become “language counselors”. The teacher who can understand can indicate his acceptance of the student. By understanding students fears and being sensitive to them, he can help students overcome their negative feelings and turn them into positive energy to further their learning

CLL itself isn't a new idea. It was developed in the 60s by Charles Curran as a principled attempt to democratise the relationships between learners and teachers in the classroom. The basic procedure is as follows:
1. Seat the learners in a circle around a tape recorder. The teacher is outside the circle.
2. Each learner in turn tells you what they want to say. This can be in English or in their L1. You reformulate/translate into authentic English, then the learner tapes it.
3. Build up a manageable chunk of conversation, stop, play the tape back and listen.
4. Write the conversation on the board. The learners ask you questions about the language, and you explain briefly. If necessary, write up a translation too. If they want to copy things down, they can at this point.
5. Ask the learners to have a short conversation, using the language you've got on the board. Then start the next round of taping.
6. The language which emerges from the procedure can be the focus for further practice activities and tasks.