Questions & Answers

What is community language learning?

Community language learning (CLL) is based on a theory called Counselling-Learning developed by Charles Curran. In this model for learning a parallel is made between teaching and psychotherapeutic counselling. The teacher is the counsellor or ‘knower’ and the learner is a ‘client’.

This is what a typical CLL classroom looks like. The clients (= students) sit in a circle with the knower (= teacher) walking round the outside. The clients try to hold a conversation with each other in the target language on a topic they have chosen. Whenever clients need help with words or phrases they call the knower. The knower gives help in a whisper, and the clients’ conversation continues. At the end of the session the procedure takes form of conventional language teaching. The knower writes some grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation points on the board and talks the clients through them.

Main characteristics of CLL

- Translation from L1 to L2 plays an important role. The knower provides help.
- Stages in the knower/client relationship are identified. These parallel stages of the growth of an individual – from childhood dependence, through adolescent rebellion, to adult independence.
- There is no pre-determined syllabus at the beginning. The syllabus develops as the teaching goes along.