How much deliberate study of grammar, and word review, and output is necessary. Who knows? Do what you like. And making mistakes does not matter in most situations.
I refer in my talk today to a debate at How to learn any language., and a web site with an interesting perspective on the importance of language schools written by Amorey Gethin. This paper was first written in 1991. A lot has changed since then. For a view on how much has changed check out this video.
Beniko Mason has some wonderful articles on research on language learning showing that reading is more efficient in language learning than deliberate instruction. I am indebted to Igor the Macedonian for the link.
He will now attack me as I explain why I like to do a little Krashen plus “n”. In other words I believe a little speaking and writing and word review, and even a little grammar review, have their place in making the brain more attentive. As long as we do not expect to learn the grammar or the new words, as long as we are not hung up about speaking and writing correctly, these deliberate learning activities help, as long as they do not get in the way of listening and reading.
I also make the point that the interest in the content is more important than making the reading easy. I am not a fan of graded readers, for example, at least for my own learning. A little bit of easy content to start with and then let me at the authentic stuff as soons as possible. I believe that LingQ makes that jump easier, and that is why we developed the system the way we did.
Stephen Krashen is controversial. I do not agree with all of what he says. But there is a lot of common sense there, backed up with research. This list of comments about reading is worth looking at. Here he talks about the connection between reading and spelling. Here are some studies that talk about the importance of listening. Here is a discussion about to "teach" listening skills.
I believe that we waste a fortune in training teachers in various skills related to teaching reading, listening, spelling etc,. We should be looking at how to enable learners to spend more time reading and listening to things that they find interesting. As Manfred Spitzer said in his book, the brain is a remarkable learning machine, much better at forming its own rules and recognizing patterns, than absorbing theoretical explanations. Reading and listening should be fun. If we like it we will do it.
Here is the podcast I believe we all learn the same way, but that we have likes and dislikes. Different people like doing different things to learn. Rather than worrying about whether people are auditory learners or visual learners etc. we need to provide the greatest possible range of content and materials and help people learn the way they like to learn. Most of all we need to find ways to keep learners turned on. The enthusiasm of the teacher is important.
I talk about his here, and I question the role of Twitter. I am not against it. I have signed up. I just do not see myself following all these people and reading short messages about what they are doing. But I am willing to learn.
Here is the podcast I think I can say that I am a good language learner. I speak 11 languages and have a good head start on a 12th, Korean. I have observed a lot of other people learn. Other than the obvious need for strong motivation, and the opportunity to use the language, I think there is one absolutely key element that is often ignored.
That key element is the willingness to accept uncertainty, vagueness, imperfection. Most people seem to want to nail things down when they learn. I think that accounts for the popularity of certain podcasts and other content that is not at normal speed and is not authentic. I think that is why people enjoy Michel Thomas and Pimsleur with their English content. I think that is why people want explanations, most of which they cannot remember or apply.
I have always wanted to get to authentic, native content, as soon as possible. I would never want to listen to something like ESL Podcasts if I were learning another language. Yet these are far more popular than our own EnglishLingQ Podcasts, where Mark and I just ramble on at normal speed.
I am prepared to listen to things and read things that I do not fully understand, in the knowledge that this will lead me to understand and feel the language faster and better and more solidly, than trying to understand everything and get expanations.
So I think the key to successful language learning is to accept uncertainty vagueness and imprefection, for a long long time, and to enjoy it. Maybe that is just me.