Catagories of Second Language Acquisition Instruction: Implicit, Explicit, Focus on Form

This is the first article in a series of articles on Instructional and Non-Instructional teaching methods for the adult ESOL (ESL, EFL) classroom. In this article I introduce to you the terms Implicit Instruction, Explicit Instruction and Focus on Form as they relate to Second Language Acquisition (SLA).

While there is great necessity for adults to learn second languages their success in obtaining fluency is not common. The question remains "What is the best type of instruction, or combinations of instruction types, to use to help adults obtain their highest capabilities in their target language?"

Explicit Instruction: Explicit Instruction is an Instructional teaching method. According to Doughty (2007), "Explicit instruction includes all types in which rules are explained to learners, or when learners are directed to find rules by attending to forms" (Doughty & Long p.265). Additionally, Explicit instruction is a "visible delivery (which) features are group instruction with a high level of teacher and student interactions and the less observable, instructional design principles and assumptions that make up the content and strategies to be taught" (Hall, 2002). Explicit instruction involves the tutelage of a qualified instructor who provides a classroom environment that incorporates the rules of the L2 (target language) and provides supervised input both textual and verbal. A teacher who engages in explicit learning also provides feedback regarding output (verbal, written, tests or assessments).

Focus-on-form:Focus-on-form is a component of Explicit Instruction and is therefore also an Instructional teaching method. Focus on Form refers to "how focal attentional resources are allocated" to linguistic forms such as grammar (Long & Robinson 1998, 23). During the course of instruction using whatever teaching method or methods are chosen by the instructor, time is allocated to explain specific linguistic features presented in the lesson.

Methods of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) have shifted away from the explicitly focused grammar heavy paradigms of the past to a new pedagogical model which has an implicit focus on Communicative Competence. However, researchers are finding that these two methods are not mutually exclusive. Rather than subscribe to one method of learning or another it may be most beneficial to the learner to combine both the Explicit Learning and Focus of Form learning strategies. Specifically, as it relates to the adult L2 (target language) classroom where learners have the cognitive abilities to apply Focus on Form.

Implicit Instruction: Implicit Instruction is a non-instructional teaching method."Conversely, implicit instruction makes no overt reference to rules or forms" and relies on Focus on Meaning (Doughty in Doughty & Long p.265). Focus on Meaning is "exposure to L2 (target language) targets or experience with L2 (target language) tasks, but no attempts to effect shifts of learner attention" are made (Doughty in Doughty & Long p. 267). An example of this is the Immersion Method, Communicative Competence model and the Content and Language Integrated Learning teaching method where the focus is experience and tasks in the target language.

*If you enjoyed this informative article on "Catagories of Second Language Acquisition Instruction: Implicit, Explicit, Focus on Form", please view my other articles in this series by clicking my name "Tesl Goddess" .

Reference:

Doughty, Catherine J, Instructed SLA: Constraints, Compensation, and Enhancement. Doughty, C. J. & Long, M. H. (2007). The handbook of second language acquisition. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.

Long, M., and P. Robinson. (1998). Focus on form: Theory, research and practice. In Focus on form in classroom second language acquisition, ed. C. Doughty and J. Williams, 15-41. New York: Cambridge University Press.