Analyzing Learning and Learning a Foreign Language -- an Ecological Model of Education Yueguo Gu The Institute of Beiwai Online Education The National Research Centre of Foreign Language Education

Main Headings Types of Learning Bases of Learning Laws of Learning Modes of Learning Media of Learning Learning a Foreign Language Methods and Strategies of Learning

1 Types of Learning

What Is Learning? Learning behavior vs. non-learning behavior Non-learning behavior: e.g. a human baby: crying, sucking, breathing, holding Human learning: there is a huge potential for learning. Learning, according to Paul Chance, is a change in behavior due to experience

Types of learning Adaptive learning and activity learning Knowledge learning and skill-learning

Adaptive Learning and Active Learning Adaptive learning is a change in behavior in order to be in harmony with an existing environment. Active learning is a change in behavior that contributes to an existing environment

Become to Know something (从不知到知） What is learning? Learning means that a change has taken place from the state of not knowing something to the state of knowing it.

Become to be able to do something （从不会做到会做） What is learning? Learning means that a change has taken place from the state of being unable to do something to the state of being able to do it.

2 Bases of Learning

Prerequisites for learning curiousness Perceiving (e.g. through five senses) Memorizing Problem-detecting Tool-using Problem-solving

IQ vs. Multiple Intelligence IQ test – a single intelligence assumption Gardner’s Multiple intelligences theory Linguistic intelligence Musical intelligence Logical-mathematical intelligence Spatial intelligence Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence Intra-personal and interpersonal intelligence

1 Genetically programmed “learning” (基因支持下的“学习”） Animal “learning“ Humans learning to walk

2. Some Basic Intelligent Learning A dolphin learning to play with humans A human baby learning to draw

Highly Intelligent Learning Learning a name, for example, England; Learning a concept, for example, number 5; Learning an imagined concept, for example, dragon. Only humans can learn these.

3 Laws of Learning

Law 1 学为过程律 Learning is a process taking place over time. It may take a short time to learn something; It may take quite a long time to learn something else.

Law 2 Internalization 内化律 Whatever is being learned has to be internalized by the learner. No internalization, no learning!

Law 3 the law of irreplacability 不可替代律 Learning is something done by the learner. No one can learn for the learner, as no one can eat or walk for anyone else.

Law 4 the Law of Erasability 丢失律 Learning is not something you can own it forever. Even genetically programmed learning can be lost if it is out of practice for a time long enough. For some learning you may retain it (meaning keep it) for quite a while; For some other learning you may loose it very quickly.

Law 5 the law of practisibility 自发与多用律 Learning will stay with you forever as long as you are self-motivated to learn at any time; and as long as you keep using or practising what you have learned.

Law 6 the law of motivation 动因律 The five laws above are built on one assumption that the learner is motivated to learn. The hypothesis is: the more motivated the learner, the better s/he learns.

4 Modes of Learning

1. Self-independent learning Learning is pursued by the learner; No conscious efforts are made by other(s) to help. For example, someone wants to learn how to cook a special dish from a chef, who is anxious to protect his skill from being learned by others.

2. Teacher-instructed learning Learning is made through the instructions given by a teacher.

3. Mixed Modes of Learning Formal Education –Institutionalized: Self-independent learning Teacher-instructed learning Informal Education Self-independent learning Private teacher-instructed learning

5 Media of Learning

1. Paper-based 2. audio-based 3. video-based

4. Mixed media – Multimedia-based

Web-based

Learning a Foreign Language 6 Learning a Foreign Language

Principle 1 It is governed by the six laws of learning in general The law of process 学为过程律 The law of internalization The law of irreplacability 无法替代律 The law of erasability 学会丢失律 The law of practisability 自发与多用律 The law of motivation 动因律

Principle 2 Learning by doing 做中得学

the cognitive stage: 跟学阶段 the associative stage: 模仿试用阶段 Three Stages the cognitive stage: 跟学阶段 the associative stage: 模仿试用阶段 the autonomous stage: 自然无意识阶段

Methods and Strategies of Learning 7 Methods and Strategies of Learning

Part 1 Self-Management Self-motivation File-keeping Self-evaluation Self-reinforcement

Part 2 Learning Habits Understanding course design Understanding unit design Self-recording Talking to yourself Fluency first Five-skill recycling Mental mode-switching contextualization

Part 3 Task-based Acting Applying Breaking down into elements Characterizing Dramatizing Giving an example Graphic aids Grouping Implementing Creating associations Modeling Note-taking Parallel writing Playing for time Resoursing Self-diagnosing Using a checklist

Part 4 Through social activities English corner Cooperative projects Evening parties Partnership Pen friends Chat friends Cyber community

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