Cognitive Approach

As the Audio-Lingual Method was on the decline in the 1960s and many shortcomings were found in it, the Cognitive Approach developed as an alternative, in response to the criticisms leveled against audio-lingualism. In the meantime the structural linguistics gave way to the generative linguistics that turned the attention from mechanistic conditioning to meaningful learning. One of the major proponents of the generative-transformational school of linguistics is Noam Chomsky, the famous American linguist. The generative linguists are interested not only in describing language but also explain language. In other words, they attempt to find “what” as well as “why” in the study of language.

The Cognitive Approach (or the cognitive-code method/learning) is an approach to foreign language teaching which is based on the belief that language learning is a process involving active mental processes and not simply the forming of habits. It puts emphasis on the conscious acquisition of language as a meaningful system andadvocates:

1. The creative property of language is characterized by rule-governed creativity. This is based on two concepts derived from Chomsky—language is rule-governed and creative. Every normal human being has, somewhere in his brain, a set of grammars rules with which he can use to create an infinite number of sentences.

2. Language is rule-governed. Language is an intricate rule-governed system and a part of language acquisition is the learning of this system. The Cognitive Approach lays emphasis on innate organizing principles in human perception and learning. Students should be allowed to create their own sentences based on an understanding of grammars rules.

Noam Chomsky created two linguistic terms: linguistic competence and performance competence. The former refers to knowledge of grammar rules, while the latter refers to application of language. It is competence that allows the child to be creative as a language user. The learning of a language skill can be deliberate; it becomes automatic through use. Meaningful performance (practice) rather than drill is the only way to master a language.

The innate hypothesis by Noam Chomsky that human knowledge develops from structures, processes, and ideas which are in the mind at birth has been used to explain how children are able to learn a language. Chomsky and others claimed that every normal human being was born with a LAD (language acquisition device).

Noam Chomsky believes that children are born with special language learning abilities; that they do not have to be taught language or corrected for their mistakes, but learn language by being exposed to examples of the language, and by using the language for communication. This is called language acquisition.

Cognitive psychology deals with the study of the nature and learning of systems of knowledge, particularly those processes involved in thought, perception comprehension, memory and learning. It covers main features as below:

1. Knowledge of language rules facilitates learning;

2. Rules are taught deductively;

3. Linguistic competence comes before performance;

4. The learner is the center of classroom teaching;

5. Language practice is the main form of classroom teaching.

It is believed the knowledge of language rules forms the learner’s language foundation. By using the language rules as a base we can select vocabularies to mean the things we want. The Cognitive Approach holds that knowledge of language rules facilitates learning. Language rules are taught deductively. Learners must learn the rules of the language before applying them. Linguistic competence comes before performance. The learning of grammar should be conducted in a functional way so that learners may apply what they have learnt to actual communicative situation.

Learners play a decisive role in foreign language learning. To achieve the teaching objectives, the teachers must understand the psychology of the learner. Since the learner is the center of language teaching, language practice should be the main form of learning. Opportunities should be provided so that learners can develop the ability of using the language through active participation in language communication. Learning is based on understanding. It is a creative process. The students can only perform after they have understood the system of the language. We can’t imitate without activating a cognitive process. In a Cognitive Approach classroom, meaningful learning and meaningful practice are emphasized during the entire learning process. The Cognitive Approach gives equal importance to all the four skills. In real life, communication is carried through all the possible channels; listening involves speaking; reading might involve writing. When a foreign language learner can resort to all the possible target language resources, learning will be more effective.