Language Production

[Niko]

Language Production Goes Hand in Hand with Comprehension

It is obvious that, at any given stage of development, a small child's receptive ability in their first language outstrips their productive ability.

In foreign language programs, however, we almost always expect a student to be able to say just about anything. Language production comes naturally amongst children, but is somewhat forced in foreign language programs.

Of all the assumptions about foreign language learning, it is this that is most dubious. One reason for insisting upon production, possibly is that it is easier than reception to test. When we ask our students to speak or to write, their mistakes show up immediately. It is easy to decide who merits an A and who must be content with a C.

Testing comprehension is not quite so easy. Questions must be phrased a bit more carefully. The answers to be sought are a shade more subtle.

[Tutor]

Children or Adults while speaking English have a tendency to translate the thoughts (which in native language) to English. The thoughts are in native language and when converted into English tend to not relate.

As an example there are many proverbs in various native languages which people tend to translate into english to share their thoughts. This becomes very wierd to native english speakers.

[reviewer]

The human brain is wired to pick up one language very quickly - but this doesn't necessarily translate to applying the same linguistic concepts to a while new language. Very insightful!