The 6 Principles of Second language
learning (DEECD,2000)
Learner Centred
Principle
Assessment
Principle
Immersion
Principle
Beliefs and
Understandings
Awareness
Principle
Responsibility
Principle
Focusing
Principle
Principal 1-The Learner Centred
Principle
ESL learners learn best
when the language input is
relevant to their individual
needs, interests and
understandings.
Teachers need to:
• recognise that students bring a first language to
the learning of a new language, and this
provides the basis for their learning of the
second language
• help learners make links between what they
already know and new concepts and knowledge
• plan for the sharing of knowledge and
experience of all students
• choose resources that are culturally sensitive
and accessible
• create an atmosphere that is receptive to, and
tolerant of, cultural similarities and differences
Principal 2-The Immersion Principle
ESL learners learn best
when they are provided
with opportunities to
communicate in authentic
school and social contexts.
Teachers need to:
• encourage all students to participate actively
and to take risks in language use
• provide a wide range of learning activities using
different groupings, situations and teaching
strategies
• provide opportunities for students to produce
and respond to spoken and written text
• provide opportunities for students to use
English in authentic contexts so that they may
gain an awareness of how purpose and
audience influence language choices.
Principal 3-The Awareness
Principle
ESL learners learn best
when they are aware of the
reflective use of language
and the role and nature of
English.
Teachers need to:
• create an awareness in students that
oral language can vary according to the
audience and the purpose
• create an awareness in students of
different approaches to writing for
different purposes and for different
audiences
• provide opportunities for students to
develop the language to think and talk
about language
Principal 4-The Focusing
Principle
ESL learners learn best when
they are focused on the
structures and features of
English in order to develop an
increasing control over
communication in school and
social contexts.
Teachers need to:
• focus on and explicitly teach specific
features of text, such as grammar
and vocabulary relating to a topic or
theme
• explicitly teach and model the
organisation of the text ( linguistic
structure) and the language choices
(linguistic features) relating to the
purpose.
Principal 5-The Responsibility
principle
ESL students learn English
best when they are
provided with
opportunities to develop
strategies that enhance
communication.
Teachers need to:
• foster the development of learning –how-tolearn and social interaction skills
• provide opportunities for students to
develop strategies to facilitate their
acquisition of English
• help students to become progressively
independent language learners and users
• encourage students to take responsibility fo
their own learning
Principal 6-The Assessment
Principle
ESL students learn
English best when they
are provided with
appropriate feedback
about their progress.
Teachers need to:
• set realistic and achievable goals
so that students can experience
success, and so promote selfesteem
• support further learning through
realistic but sensitive feedback
and encouragement