Comments on: Rebuking the Tarzan Approach http://www.towerofconfusion.com/2007/09/14/rebuking-the-tarzan-approach/ Language Learning and Multiculturalism Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:34:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Computer Flashcard Nazi « Tower of Confusion http://www.towerofconfusion.com/2007/09/14/rebuking-the-tarzan-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-293 Computer Flashcard Nazi « Tower of Confusion Tue, 09 Oct 2007 03:37:55 +0000 http://towerofconfusion.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/rebuking-the-tarzan-approach/#comment-293 [...] I could not help it but to peek into the forums again. My dear Tarzan friend is proposing a new vocabulary learning strategy. This time, he encourages people to use paper [...] [...] I could not help it but to peek into the forums again. My dear Tarzan friend is proposing a new vocabulary learning strategy. This time, he encourages people to use paper [...]

]]> By: Edwin http://www.towerofconfusion.com/2007/09/14/rebuking-the-tarzan-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-294 Edwin Sun, 16 Sep 2007 03:23:06 +0000 http://towerofconfusion.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/rebuking-the-tarzan-approach/#comment-294 Thanks Geoff for the links. Unfortunately, I don't think that Tarzan fellow will listen to any of these. My hope is that other learners won't fall into the trap. I think the same principle should apply to both self-taught and being guided by a teacher. There is a difference between scripted conversations (drills) and real conversations. I think there is no problem start practicing scripted conversations early, either with yourself or a language tutor. In fact, I feel that a lot of conversations done in language classes are more-or-less scripted, although sometimes the teachers would try to disguise them. As for real conversation, I have heard success stories from people who claimed to start speaking early. But the key point here is that the partner must not speak Tarzan back. I myself have experienced how the silent period principle works, and that was even before I knew about the theory. So I am for it. Thanks Geoff for the links. Unfortunately, I don’t think that Tarzan fellow will listen to any of these. My hope is that other learners won’t fall into the trap.

I think the same principle should apply to both self-taught and being guided by a teacher.

There is a difference between scripted conversations (drills) and real conversations. I think there is no problem start practicing scripted conversations early, either with yourself or a language tutor. In fact, I feel that a lot of conversations done in language classes are more-or-less scripted, although sometimes the teachers would try to disguise them.

As for real conversation, I have heard success stories from people who claimed to start speaking early. But the key point here is that the partner must not speak Tarzan back.

I myself have experienced how the silent period principle works, and that was even before I knew about the theory. So I am for it.

]]> By: GeoffB http://www.towerofconfusion.com/2007/09/14/rebuking-the-tarzan-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-295 GeoffB Sat, 15 Sep 2007 20:16:53 +0000 http://towerofconfusion.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/rebuking-the-tarzan-approach/#comment-295 Antimoon.com, a Polish site for English learners, offers a collection of myths about learning languages: http://www.antimoon.com/other/myths.htm Their bête noire seems to be making people speak before the mouth and brain are ready to go about it properly. A lot of it reminds me of what Steve (the Linguist) has to say about speaking his Russian when he's good and ready. It's an interesting take. One question, though: Does when you start speaking depend on whether you're self-taught or being guided by a teacher? Does it depend on the kind of teacher/teaching? Antimoon.com, a Polish site for English learners, offers a collection of myths about learning languages:

http://www.antimoon.com/other/myths.htm

Their bête noire seems to be making people speak before the mouth and brain are ready to go about it properly. A lot of it reminds me of what Steve (the Linguist) has to say about speaking his Russian when he’s good and ready. It’s an interesting take.

One question, though: Does when you start speaking depend on whether you’re self-taught or being guided by a teacher? Does it depend on the kind of teacher/teaching?

]]> By: Edwin http://www.towerofconfusion.com/2007/09/14/rebuking-the-tarzan-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-297 Edwin Sat, 15 Sep 2007 01:38:27 +0000 http://towerofconfusion.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/rebuking-the-tarzan-approach/#comment-297 Milan, You know. I don't usually go into lengthy discussions. But this time, I was just 睇唔過眼!! 佢個理論已經係好荒謬, 又要辨代表. 咁多人話佢佢又唔認輪. 最慘就係有人會信佢果套, 到時真係死得人多! Milan,
You know. I don’t usually go into lengthy discussions. But this time, I was just 睇唔過眼!!

佢個理論已經係好荒謬, 又要辨代表. 咁多人話佢佢又唔認輪. 最慘就係有人會信佢果套, 到時真係死得人多!

]]> By: 米蘭 http://www.towerofconfusion.com/2007/09/14/rebuking-the-tarzan-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-296 米蘭 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 00:57:46 +0000 http://towerofconfusion.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/rebuking-the-tarzan-approach/#comment-296 Hi Edwin, I wrote an article on my blog (21 Feb 2007) http://cantonese.hk/wp/?p=51 which relates to your post. I read a few posts of that thread which you were talking about and thought it was time wasting. Personally, I believe in the silent period which you have described. Its a proven method by many professional language learners like Steve Kaufmann. There have been many occasions where I wanted to debate and argue pointlessly with other people on forums. Now-a-days I simply go to forums looking for new learning material, discuss Cantonese vocab/grammar that I'm unclear about, or look for some genuine experiences. Hi Edwin, I wrote an article on my blog (21 Feb 2007) http://cantonese.hk/wp/?p=51 which relates to your post.

I read a few posts of that thread which you were talking about and thought it was time wasting.

Personally, I believe in the silent period which you have described. Its a proven method by many professional language learners like Steve Kaufmann.

There have been many occasions where I wanted to debate and argue pointlessly with other people on forums. Now-a-days I simply go to forums looking for new learning material, discuss Cantonese vocab/grammar that I’m unclear about, or look for some genuine experiences.

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