Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach - Essay Example

Running Head: CALLA Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) is a new approach intended for bilingual students who learns English as a second language. In this learning approach the content has given more prominence than anything else. This paper briefly analyses the CALLA approach. Introduction “The Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) is an instructional model that was developed to meet the academic needs of students learning English as a second language in American schools. Based largely on findings of studies on cognition, the model integrates academic language development, content area instruction and explicit instruction in learning strategies for both content and language acquisition.” (Chamot & O’Malley) Learning of English language for non native English speakers is always a challenge. It is difficult for them to speak or learn English as similar as the native English speakers. Because of this difficulty in learning English, the subjects taught in the classes may not be properly learned by the bilingual students and hence they will lag behind others though their intellectual abilities may not have any problem. CALLA is an instructional model designed for such students to make the subjects easy for learning. Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA)-methodology CALLA methodology is built upon the following concepts; “Learning is an active and dynamic process; Learning can be grouped into three types of knowledge: declarative (knowledge of facts), procedural (knowledge of “how to” do things), meta cognitive (relate current learning tasks to past knowledge and learning procedures). (Chamot & O’Malley, Implementing CALLA) Learning is an active process where both the teacher and the students need to actively participate in learning activities to make the learning perfect. If either of the two follows a passive approach, it will affect the learning. For example, if the teacher consider his profession as a passive one and if he does not have any interest in teaching, it will affect the quality of his class and thereby the learning also. On the other hand if the student loses interest in learning then it is difficult for them to properly learn the topic. In CALLA approach the topic is so defined so that both the students and the teacher will actively participate in the learning activities automatically. Based on the variety of topics, the learning activities are classified into three categories in this approach. Declarative, procedural and meta cognitive. Declarative knowledge means the knowledge of facts which does not need in depth understanding. For example, a, e, i, o, u are vowels is a declarative knowledge which does not need elaborated analysis. These are facts and they are considered as declarative knowledge in CALLA approach. On the other hand procedural knowledge needs much more detailed analysis to understand the topic well. For example the use of verbs with first person, second person and third person need more analysis and hence this type of learning activity is put under procedural knowledge. Meta cognitive learning comes under the application category. Here the previously learned knowledge is utilized in tackling a specific situation or vice versa. CALLA curriculum is divided into three parts. First part is the preparatory part or theoretical part in which the cognitive learning theory and the related topics such as language across the curriculum, language experience approach, and cooperative learning are discussed (Chamot & O’Malley) This part also deals with the academic content, learning strategies, and language skills. The student’s cognitive activities are emphasized in this part. Some students may learn a topic if they are taught in a particular manner. For example, there are students who like hearing history or storey and hence the teacher may adopt transfer of learning through telling story or history. For example, in order to teach gravity in physics, most of the teachers make use of the story of apple and Newton. If the teacher is smart enough he can add more colors to the story which deals with the situation in which how Newton think when the apple fall on his head and finally arrived at conclusions regarding gravity. The present language skills of the student are also carefully evaluated in this part. In short the student’s merits and demerits all will be analyzed during this part. The second part focuses on planning, teaching and monitoring CALLA. The teacher will choose the appropriate learning method for the student during this part after measuring the knowledge and skills levels of the student. The teachers will communicate with each other before finalizing the proper method of teaching for the students in this part. The final part is the implementation part. “Here, the teachers outline sample CALLA units for science, mathematics, social studies, and literature to illustrate how CALLA principles can be translated into lesson plans for different subject areas.” (Chamot & O’Malley) “CALLAs principal objectives are to assist students in: Valuing their own prior knowledge and cultural experiences, and relating this knowledge to academic learning in a new language and culture Learning the content knowledge and the language skills that are most important for their future academic success; Developing language awareness and critical literacy Selecting and using appropriate learning strategies and study skills that will develop academic knowledge and processes Developing abilities to work successfully with others in a social context Learning through hands-on, inquiry-based, and cooperative learning tasks Increasing motivation for academic learning and confidence in their ability to be successful in school Evaluating their own learning and planning how to become more effective and independent learners.” (THE COGNITIVE ACADEMIC LANGUAGE LEARNING APPROACH) Merits and Demerits of CALLA CALLA obviously helps the student in learning subjects based on their intellectual levels. The students can preserve their cultural attributes and prior knowledge and they can utilize such knowledge in their future learning through CALLA. CALLA prepares a student in learning English language properly and hence he can shines in his future assignments where English is essential. The increased depth of knowledge in English will help the student in grasping the academic subjects properly. CALLA increases the motivation for learning since it deals with the academic subjects in a simple manner. CALLA has some demerits also. Since CALLA make use of the student’s inherited traits for learning purposes, he may not develop or acquire other traits from others. For example, only when a student feels the difficulty he will spend more time on learning. This will increase his patience and temperament. On the other hand if the learning topics made simple, he will not spend much time for studying and may spend more time in playing. The more difficulty experiences at the childhood will make a student better prepared for challenging situations in the future. Since CALLA make things easier for the students, their readiness or attitudes in taking challenges may be reduced. “The CALLA lesson plan should focus on Language expertise level or grade level of the student, Overview of the main ideas to be learned and communicated, Standards which support the lesson, Lesson objectives & goals tied to the standard, Preparation for learning, Procedures & activities for teaching, Materials and resources, Assessment of goals, Procedures & activities for remediation or accommodation and Reflection on successes and failures of lesson” (Craig) Most of the other teaching approaches make use of only a particular segment of a class like, the average, brilliant, or poor. But in CALLA method, the needs of all the students will be addressed. The intelligent use of teaching aids such as, charts, maps, videos, animation films, internet, computers etc will enable the student in learning the topic properly Conclusions CALLA is an instructional approach aimed at bilingual students. It enables the students in improving their English language proficiency along with learning of other subjects. Individual differences will be addressed in this type of instruction. Though CALLA has many advantages like learning the difficult topic easily, it may affect the attitude of student while facing future challenges. References 1. Chamot Anna Uhl & O’Malley J. Michael, 1994, Implementing CALLA: Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach, Retrieved on April 18, 2009 from http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/download/pdf/FF-CLD-CALLA302.pdf 2. Chamot Anna Uhl & O’Malley J. Michael, 1994 , CALLA Handbook: Implementing the Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach Retrieved on April 18, 2009 from http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/TESL-EJ/ej07/r5.html 3. THE COGNITIVE ACADEMIC LANGUAGE LEARNING APPROACH, Retrieved on April 18, 2009 from http://calla.ws/overview.html 4. Craig Dorothy Valcarel, 2006, The Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) Retrieved on April 18, 2009 from http://mtsu32.mtsu.edu:11398/eslcalla.htm Read More