Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

The practice (‘drilling’ or ‘manipulation’) stage is the second in the traditional ‘ presentation – practice – production’ sequence . Some important characteristics of this middle stage are that it relies on repetition for its effect; that, given this repetitive element, a degree of meaninglessness in the exercises is inevitable (though steps may be taken to minimize this – see below); that it is almost always ‘part practice’ in which one or more elements of the language are isolated for the practice; that it is relatively controlled practice, often with the learner having very little choice as to the response given. Some have used the word ‘scales’ to refer to this sort of practice, thereby indicating that it occurs in a variety of skill-learning situations, including learning to play a musical instrument. The most cogent justification for drilling this century has been in terms of audiolingualism , with its theoretical basis in behaviourism , and the view that language learning is a question of habit formation. It was believed that habits are formed by practice, which is why the repetitive element of drilling is important. Practice should be controlled because ‘practice makes permanent,’ and errors repeated (= ‘practised’) will become ingrained. By practising small elements at a time, errors would be avoided. See shaping and also Rivers (1964) for a comprehensive consideration ... log in or subscribe to read full text