Cure for English Fever

in the same paper presented by Krashen (as i describe earlier), he suggested some cures for this illness:

1) Modify our goals
Krashen noted that "the goal of the language class is not to produce error-free performance and complete understanding of all rules of grammar." He noted that language class should focuses in giving the basic 'tool' in learning the L2, thus the  advanced students will then further acquiring the language suing the tool, on their own. 'Tool' in this context is the language skills the students already have within their own L1.  


2) Language classes should be filled with comprehensible input
Total Physical Response and Natural Approach are said to be the best to give more comprehensible input (Natural Approach is developed by Krashen himself together with Kerrel in 1983, please see http://www2.vobs.at/ludescher/Alternative%20methods/natural_approach.htm  ).  So given the knowledge in the L1, the students can comprehend what is meant by book for an e.g. when the teacher shows a book. Natural Approach on the other hand teaches the language naturally, as if we were a child. I find this very interesting as when i was a child, I dont remember my mum correcting my BM, let alone tell me what is an adjective or a verb. I hope to discuss this more as there is an argument of MBMMBI where some argue that Grammar is more important than teaching Phonics.

*pls note that Communicative Language Teaching, which is widely promoted (and yet not widely used), teaches Grammar as well, in context as they claim it to be.



3) We can provide a powerful supplement to regular pedagogy in the form of recreational reading
Light reading provides a bridge that makes the reading of more demanding literature comprehensible. Free voluntary reading in English can be done in three stages: (1) graded readers, that is, books written especially for language students; (2) easy authentic reading (light novels, comics, magazines), and finally (3) demanding authentic reading.
I guess the purpose of this recreational reading is to cultivate reading habit among youngsters. I remember once when I was young, my novel was taken away and i was given a warn not to read such a 'novel picisan' in school. Now looking back at those years, without those kind of readings, I dont think I can even read Harry Potter, let alone books on ELTM or SLA!

4) Include sheltered popular literature
A means of combining sheltered subject matter teaching and recreational reading is the establishment of sheltered popular literature classes. The goal of these classes is to introduce students to popular literature, to what is available to them for pleasure reading in the second or foreign language, in the hope of helping students establish a pleasure reading habit in the second language (Krashen, 1999b).

5) Improve libraries
We can provide comprehensible input in the form of libraries, libraries filled, of course, with interesting books and magazines, but also filled with interesting audiotapes and videotapes. Such a library, open to the public, allows foreign language students to continue to obtain both aural and written comprehensible input long after the class is over.

6) Maintain strong first language education
The first language can contribute background knowledge and literacy development that stimulates second language development, and of course advanced first language development stimulates advanced cognitive development.

7) English need not be taught in massive doses
Recall that our goal is not to develop native-like proficiency: Our goal is only to help students reach the intermediate stage, so they can continue to improve on their own. How long it takes to reach this goal is an open question, but it is likely that one period per day for several years, with effective methodology, is enough. The failures of foreign language education in the past were not, in my opinion, due to the lack of time devoted to the language; the failures were due to the methodology.

8) We need not start at very early ages
An early start is less efficient and does not guarantee a native accent. There is no need for preschool cram school English, no need to start English at kindergarten. There is, however, a need to build subject matter knowledge and literacy through the primary language.