"Summary Books EFL Teaching Methodology | Chapter 14 : Community Language Learning (CLL)"

Community Language Learning (CLL), developed by Charles A. Curran, is a humanistic approach to language teaching that focuses on emotional and social aspects of learning. It is deeply influenced by Carl Rogers' concept of "Counseling Learning" and prioritizes creating a supportive and collaborative environment for learners.

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Principles of CLL

1. Humanistic Approach:
   CLL values learners as whole individuals with unique emotional and psychological needs. The teacher acts as a facilitator, creating a nurturing space for learning.

2. Interpersonal Relationships:
   Building strong relationships between learners and teachers is crucial. This approach fosters a supportive community where students can express themselves freely.

3. Empathy and Understanding:
   Teachers demonstrate empathy to create trust, encouraging students to participate without fear of judgment.

4. Learner Autonomy:
   CLL promotes active learner involvement in setting their learning goals and paths, encouraging them to take responsibility for their progress.

5. Real Communication:
   Learners engage in authentic, real-world communication rather than focusing on rote memorization or mechanical drills.

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Objectives of CLL

The objectives of CLL center on creating a supportive environment for language acquisition while nurturing personal growth:

1. Facilitate Natural Language Acquisition:
   CLL aims to replicate the natural process of acquiring a first language in a second language context.

2. Foster Emotional Growth:
   By providing a safe space for expression, CLL helps learners build confidence and emotional resilience.

3. Build Interpersonal Skills:
   Through collaboration, learners develop strong communication and teamwork skills.

4. Encourage Autonomy:
   CLL empowers learners to make choices and guide their learning journey.

5. Promote Cultural Awareness:
   CLL encourages learners to understand and respect cultural norms and contexts of the language being learned.

6. Enhance Communication Proficiency:
   Ultimately, the goal is for learners to become proficient in using the target language effectively in various social situations.

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Advantages of CLL

1. Authentic Communication:
   The focus on real-world conversations helps learners develop practical, applicable language skills.

2. Learner-Centered:
   CLL allows students to take ownership of their learning, which boosts motivation and engagement.

3. Peer Collaboration:
   Group work fosters a sense of community and encourages mutual support among learners.

4. Low Anxiety:
   The humanistic nature of CLL creates a supportive environment where learners feel safe to take risks and make mistakes.

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Disadvantages of CLL

1. Lack of Structure:
   Some learners may find CLL’s flexible, open-ended approach confusing or overwhelming.

2. Limited Vocabulary Acquisition:
   CLL’s focus on conversational learning may not provide enough focus on building specialized vocabulary or grammar.

3. Inconsistent Progress:
   Progress can vary greatly among learners depending on individual participation, background, and learning goals.

4. Dependence on Facilitator:
   The success of CLL heavily depends on the facilitator’s skill in managing group dynamics and guiding discussions effectively.

5. Not Suitable for Beginners:
   CLL works best with learners who already have a basic understanding of the language; absolute beginners may find it challenging.

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Teaching Steps in CLL

The teaching process in CLL is less structured and more organic, but here are some general steps:

1. Building Trust and Rapport:
   Establish a safe and welcoming environment to foster open communication.

2. Needs Analysis and Goal Setting:
   Conduct a needs analysis to understand learners’ motivations and collaboratively set goals.

3. Introducing CLL Principles:
   Explain the humanistic principles of CLL and how they align with learners’ emotional and social needs.

4. Listening and Empathizing:
   Encourage active listening and empathy among students and teachers.

5. Generating Topics and Questions:
   Involve learners in generating topics and questions, allowing their interests to guide the learning process.

6. Dialogues and Reflection:
   Facilitate dialogues between learners and encourage reflection on language use and strategies.

7. Recording and Transcription:
   Record learner dialogues, transcribe them, and analyze language features such as grammar and vocabulary.

8. Feedback and Reformulation:
   Provide constructive feedback, focusing on areas for improvement, and reformulate language use to enhance fluency.

9. Repeated Practice:
   Encourage learners to practice language structures repeatedly, gradually increasing complexity.

10. Ongoing Reflection and Adjustment:
    Continuously adjust teaching methods based on learners’ evolving needs.

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Learning Activities in CLL

Common activities in CLL include:

• Reflective Listening: Learners paraphrase or summarize conversations.
• Dialogue Circles: Learners engage in group dialogues.
• Recording and Playback: Record and analyze conversations for language improvement.
• Role-Playing: Use real-life scenarios to practice language skills.
• Sociocultural Activities: Incorporate cultural lessons to deepen understanding.

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Conclusion

Community Language Learning (CLL) offers a humanistic, learner-centered approach that fosters emotional growth, language proficiency, and interpersonal skills. By creating a supportive community, CLL encourages learners to take ownership of their learning journey, enhancing both their communication skills and cultural awareness. However, its flexible, unstructured nature may not be suitable for all learners, particularly beginners.

Fadhly, F. Z. (2023). EFL Teaching Methodology, Edukasi Inti Cemerlang..