Steve Kaufmann is WRONG about Input and Output in Language Learning

Mikel | Hyperpolyglot
24 Jun 202424:21

Summary

TLDRIn this video script, the speaker critically examines the input and output hypotheses in language acquisition, challenging the traditional emphasis on input alone. They advocate for a balanced approach, highlighting the importance of output through speaking and active learning for better language acquisition. The speaker disputes the effectiveness of passive learning methods like watching videos or reading extensively, arguing instead for the necessity of deliberate practice, feedback, and the use of language islands to improve both speaking and understanding in a new language.

Takeaways

  • 🗣️ Speaking is not just communication but half of it; understanding is the other half.
  • 📚 The Input Hypothesis by Stephen Krashen emphasizes the importance of receiving slightly challenging, yet comprehensible input for language acquisition.
  • 🔍 Krashen distinguishes between 'learning' and 'acquisition', with the former being deliberate study and the latter a subconscious process.
  • 🏋️‍♂️ Language, like any skill, benefits from deliberate practice for faster improvement, contrary to passive exposure alone.
  • 🛡️ The Monitor Hypothesis suggests that focusing on grammar rules can hinder spontaneous language use.
  • 🌱 Krashen's Natural Order Hypothesis posits that language structures are acquired in a set order, regardless of teaching methods.
  • 🚫 The speaker criticizes the idea that only input is sufficient for language learning, arguing for the necessity of output.
  • 🔄 Merl Swain's Output Hypothesis highlights the importance of output for noticing gaps in knowledge, hypothesis testing, and gaining a sense of language structure.
  • 🤔 The speaker questions the effectiveness of traditional classroom settings for language learning, suggesting they may not provide enough meaningful input or output.
  • 📈 The speaker advocates for active learning methods such as retrieval practice and listening/repeating exercises for more efficient language acquisition.
  • 🎯 The emphasis should be on meaningful communication, not just on producing language without understanding.

Q & A

  • What is the main argument presented by Steve Kmman in the video?

    -Steve Kmman argues against the idea that mere speaking equates to communicating, emphasizing that understanding is also a crucial part of communication. He discusses the input hypothesis and the output hypothesis in language acquisition, suggesting that output, if done correctly, can be more effective than just input.

  • What are the five main points of Krashen's input hypothesis?

    -The five main points of Krashen's input hypothesis are: 1) We learn from meaningful input that is slightly difficult, 2) The distinction between learning and acquisition, where learning is deliberate study and acquisition is subconscious, 3) The monitor hypothesis, which states that grammar instruction can make language use less spontaneous, 4) The natural order of acquisition, where language structures are acquired in a set order, and 5) The affective filter, which suggests that anxiety or stress can hinder language production.

  • What is the output hypothesis and what does it propose?

    -The output hypothesis, proposed by Merl Swain, suggests that output, or speaking, is important for language learning because it helps learners notice gaps in their knowledge, test their hypotheses about the language, and gain a better overall sense of the language structure through active use.

  • How does Steve Kmman view the efficiency of language learning through input alone?

    -Steve Kmman believes that learning a language through input alone, such as watching videos or reading, is inefficient and a waste of time. He argues for the necessity of output, like speaking and writing, to achieve fluency in a shorter amount of time.

  • What is the difference between 'learning' and 'acquisition' according to Krashen's theory?

    -In Krashen's theory, 'learning' refers to the deliberate study of language, often involving grammar instruction and conscious effort, while 'acquisition' is the subconscious process of absorbing language naturally, similar to how children learn their first language.

  • How does Kmman critique the effectiveness of grammar instruction in language learning?

    -Kmman critiques grammar instruction by pointing out that it can make language use less spontaneous and may not necessarily reduce the number of errors learners make. He suggests that active practice and output, such as speaking and writing, are more effective for learning grammar.

  • What is the role of the 'affective filter' in language learning according to Krashen?

    -The 'affective filter' in Krashen's theory represents the emotional barrier that can hinder language acquisition. High levels of fear, stress, or anxiety can make it more difficult for learners to produce language and thus impede learning.

  • How does Kmman suggest using technology to improve language learning through output?

    -Kmman suggests using technology for activities like listening and repeating sentences, translating into the target language, and getting immediate feedback. This active use of language, he argues, is more effective than passive input like watching or reading.

  • What is the 'noticing hypothesis' mentioned in the context of the output hypothesis?

    -The 'noticing hypothesis' within the output hypothesis posits that when learners attempt to produce language, they become aware of gaps in their knowledge, which they may not have noticed otherwise. This awareness can motivate them to learn and correct these gaps.

  • What is the 'hypothesis testing function' in the output hypothesis?

    -The 'hypothesis testing function' suggests that learners have certain hypotheses about how the language works, and by speaking and producing language, they can test these hypotheses to see if their understanding matches the actual use of the language.

  • How does Kmman define 'communicating' in the context of language learning?

    -Kmman defines 'communicating' as a two-way flow of information, where both understanding and speaking are essential. He argues that simply speaking without understanding is not true communication.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ The Debate on Output and Communication in Language Learning

The speaker begins by addressing a request to discuss Steve Krashen's views on language output. They express initial uncertainty but decide to explore the topic, starting with the assertion that mere speaking does not equate to communication. The speaker outlines Krashen's Input Hypothesis, emphasizing the importance of comprehensible input for language acquisition. They also introduce the Output Hypothesis, suggesting that speaking is integral to learning and communication, and propose a relationship between output, genuine communication, and language acquisition.

05:05

🤔 Critique of Language Acquisition Theories and the Role of Output

The speaker critically examines Krashen's theories, particularly the distinction between learning and acquisition, and the Monitor Hypothesis, which posits that grammar instruction can hinder spontaneous language use. They challenge the idea of a natural order of acquisition, citing examples of individuals learning advanced language structures out of necessity. The speaker also criticizes the effectiveness of comprehensible input, suggesting that it caters to the weak and lazy, and instead advocates for deliberate practice and training for more efficient language learning.

10:05

📚 Merl Swain's Output Hypothesis and its Implications for Language Learning

The speaker discusses Merl Swain's Output Hypothesis, which emerged as a counter to the Input Hypothesis. Swain's theory includes three key points: the noticing hypothesis, which suggests that output helps learners identify gaps in knowledge; the hypothesis-testing function, allowing learners to test their understanding through speaking; and the metalinguistic function, which helps learners gain a better sense of the language's structure. The speaker agrees with Swain's emphasis on the importance of output in language learning.

15:05

📝 The Efficacy of Output in Language Acquisition and Classroom Learning

The speaker delves into the practical application of output in language learning, using the example of French immersion programs. They highlight the limitations of input in such settings and argue that output activities, particularly writing, are more beneficial. The speaker also addresses the issue of grammar instruction and its relation to output, advocating for retrieval practice and feedback as a means to improve grammar and vocabulary. They express skepticism about the effectiveness of traditional classroom output and suggest that technology can enhance the output process.

20:06

🎯 The Importance of Output for Active Vocabulary and Grammar Mastery

The speaker emphasizes the role of output in developing active vocabulary and mastering grammar. They argue that passive vocabulary, gained through extensive input, is insufficient for fluent communication. The speaker promotes retrieval practice and output as the means to convert passive vocabulary into active use. They also discuss the brain's process of output during conversation, stressing the importance of having a rich vocabulary and structure to draw upon. The speaker concludes by advocating for a balanced approach to language learning that includes both input and output.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Output Hypothesis

The Output Hypothesis is a theory in language acquisition proposed by Merl Swain, emphasizing the importance of learners producing language (output) to notice gaps in their knowledge and improve their language skills. In the video, the speaker discusses this hypothesis as a counterpoint to Krashen's Input Hypothesis, suggesting that output is crucial for language learning and can lead to more efficient acquisition.

💡Input Hypothesis

Krashen's Input Hypothesis is a theory stating that language acquisition occurs when learners receive input that is slightly more advanced than their current level. The video contrasts this with the Output Hypothesis, with the speaker arguing that while input is important, it is not as effective as output for language acquisition.

💡Communication

Communication in the context of the video refers to the two-way exchange of information, which involves both speaking (output) and understanding (input). The speaker emphasizes that true communication requires not just speaking but also comprehension, challenging the notion that mere speaking equates to effective communication.

💡Acquisition vs. Learning

Acquisition and learning are differentiated in the script as two separate processes. Acquisition is the subconscious process of language learning, akin to how children learn their first language. Learning, on the other hand, is a more deliberate and conscious study of language. The video suggests that deliberate practice through output can enhance acquisition.

💡Retrieval Practice

Retrieval practice is a learning strategy where learners attempt to recall information from memory, which is then checked for accuracy. In the video, the speaker mentions this as an effective method for language learning through output, where learners translate, get feedback, and repeat the process to improve their language skills.

💡Language Islands

Language Islands refer to the practice of immersing oneself in a language without translation, often through listening and repeating exercises. The video script mentions this as a beneficial method for learning pronunciation and vocabulary, which can be enhanced by output activities.

💡Effortful Learning

Effortful learning is the idea that deliberate and effortful practice leads to better learning outcomes. The speaker in the video argues against passive learning methods like watching videos or reading, instead advocating for active learning through output and retrieval practice.

💡Natural Order of Acquisition

The Natural Order of Acquisition is a concept from language learning theories suggesting that learners acquire language structures in a predictable sequence. The video challenges this concept by pointing out that learners can focus on specific language areas relevant to their needs, rather than following a strict natural order.

💡Affective Filter

The Affective Filter refers to the psychological barrier that can hinder language learning, such as anxiety or lack of motivation. The speaker in the video criticizes the Input Hypothesis for potentially raising the affective filter by not encouraging enough challenging practice through output.

💡Grammar Instruction

Grammar instruction is the teaching of language rules and structures. The video script discusses this in the context of the Output Hypothesis, suggesting that while grammar can be learned through instruction, it is more effectively internalized and applied through active speaking and output practice.

💡Efficiency

Efficiency in the context of the video refers to the effectiveness and speed of language learning methods. The speaker argues that output-focused learning is more efficient than passive input methods, as it leads to quicker acquisition and better retention of language skills.

Highlights

Speaking is not the entirety of communication; it is only half of the process.

The Input Hypothesis by Stephen Krashen emphasizes the importance of receiving input that is slightly difficult but still meaningful.

The distinction between 'learning' and 'acquisition', where learning is deliberate study and acquisition is subconscious.

Language learning can benefit from deliberate practice, similar to improving in sports or any skill.

The Monitor Hypothesis suggests that grammar instruction can hinder spontaneous language use.

The Natural Order Hypothesis posits that language structures are acquired in a set order regardless of teaching methods.

The Affective Filter Hypothesis states that anxiety or stress can impede language learning.

The Output Hypothesis by Merl Swain suggests that producing language helps learners notice gaps in knowledge.

Output allows learners to test their hypotheses about language, leading to better understanding.

The metalinguistic function of output helps learners gain a better sense of the language's structure.

The debate between input and output in language learning, with a preference for a balanced approach.

The ineffectiveness of only using input methods like watching videos for language acquisition.

The importance of combining output with input for efficient language learning.

Critique of the Input Hypothesis based on the experiences of top performers in various fields.

The role of technology in enhancing language learning through output methods.

The misconception that output is only about grammar exercises and classroom activities.

The necessity of meaningful communication for true language learning, not just speaking.

The value of retrieval practice and feedback in building an active vocabulary.

The ineffectiveness of passive vocabulary without the ability to use it actively in conversation.

The importance of understanding both speaking and listening as part of the communication process.

The conclusion that a combination of input and output is essential for effective language learning.

Transcripts

play00:00

all right we've got another

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request apparently Steve kman is talking

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about output now and someone in the

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comments asked me about my opinion on

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his video and I told him or her that I

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didn't have one because I had watched

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the video that's about to

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change let's see what uh what all Steve

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has to say about output today I'm going

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to talk about speaking I'm going to talk

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about output and I'm going to begin by

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saying that speaking just speaking is

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not communicating and oh I cannot really

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see where this is going tell you what I

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mean by that a number of people have

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asked me to do a video about the output

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hypothesis now you are familiar with

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Steven crash's input hypothesis and I'm

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a great fan yes yes yes we we've heard

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about it a couple times shortly of

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crash's hypothesis on how we learn and

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let me just go over the five main points

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of crash's input hypothesis and then I'm

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going to talk a little bit about the

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output hypothesis and explain what I

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consider to be the relationship between

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output or speaking and genuine

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communication and learning in the

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acquisition of a language crash So

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speaking is not

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communicating no speaking is half of

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communicating communicating

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means implies understanding and speaking

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so speaking is extremely important in in

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communication's theory of language

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acquisition consists of Five Points the

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first point is what he calls the input

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hypothesis we learn from meaningful

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input input that's just a little

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difficult for us hopefully input of

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interest and that this is a natural

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process and this leads us to which I

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don't necessarily disagree with yeah

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it's just not the most efficient way to

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do it especially if you want results or

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need results in a reasonable amount of

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time and you are busy Point number two

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and that is the distinction that

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crashion makes between learning and

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acquisition learning is

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a okay here we go acquisition and

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learning deliberate study of the

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language and in his mind it's completely

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disconnected from the sort of

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subconcious

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process of acquiring a language then

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there a language is like any other skill

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a language can be learned and if you do

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deliberate practice you improve faster

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at any skill if you just show up on Spa

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people in the boxing in a ring

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daily just like no training no Technical

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Training at all you get better at

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fighting but not that

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much if you actually do the training

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you'll get good at boxing you know and

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then you do better when you Spa people

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languages are the same you learn by

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talking to people you learn by listening

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you learn by using the language but if

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you if you train yourself

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for for if you train to be able to

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understand better by doing specific

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exercises learning a lot of vocabulary

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Etc do do an active

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recall and you do specific speaking

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exercises on your own you'll do much

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better when you you actually have to

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listen to and and speak with native

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speakers there is the monitor hypothesis

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which says that grammar instruction or

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the rules of grammar that we study

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become a monitor and if we speak trying

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to use the language while referring to

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this monitor it makes us less

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spontaneous and less able to use the

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language the fourth point in cr's theory

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of Lang acquisition is the natural order

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of acquisition which says that

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regardless of whichever rules we study

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or the effort put in by teachers to

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drill us or test us on certain forms or

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structures in the language we will

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gradually acquire these according to a

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natural order we will learn some faster

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I keep hearing about that

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I'm I'm not I don't know does Ste

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matter um I know of people who learned

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very advanced stuff first simply because

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that was more relevant to them

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uh for the purposes that they were

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learning the language they just practice

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those specific scenarios so they were

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able to use Advanced language before

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being able to say basic like they

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wouldn't understand the Link mini

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stories but they were able to

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say like business a a bunch of business

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stuff for

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example uh or like diplomatic

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stuff because that's what they prepared

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that's what they learned yeah task based

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learning

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so

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the the natural order

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thing I I think these people just

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approach it from a

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very academic not cman but all these

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like crashing all these people they just

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yeah I think they live in their academic

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bubble and

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also more about this later but I don't

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think they they

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I I don't know which kind of people they

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were experimenting

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with but I don't think any of the people

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they experimented with were top

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performance they probably got a bunch of

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very mediocre people for the tests

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because there's no

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way yeah there's no way they they got to

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those

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conclusions if if they had been

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experimenting with top performance

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unless they already had the conclusions

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they wanted and then they just uh prev

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engineer the whole process okay we want

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to say that breathing is the best thing

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to do so let's just make up all the I

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don't know accusing anyone of fraud but

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but a lot of Academia works like that

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than others and I referred to this

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before in my videos and finally crashing

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refers to the effective filter which

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says the more this is one of my biggest

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problems with the compreh ible input

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Theory and this is why uh this is why I

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said this stuff about uh them

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experimenting with mediocre people

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because the effective PE filter and if

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you if it's too difficult you'll you'll

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feel anxiety and lack of confidence lack

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of motivation

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stress yeah anyone who's been good at

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anything like competitive like top

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performer in any sport any field

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you have to deal with pressure yeah you

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if you want get to get good really good

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at something when you're doing something

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difficult and you're struggling and

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you're frustrating but you keep

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going then is that is the time when

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you're improving the

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most so I think they just experimented

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with the people who tend to avoid that

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stuff because they lazy and they weak

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and they the cowards and and that why

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like you give me David Goggins and he

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doesn't need this nonsense because I'll

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give him super hard exercise and he'll

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do everything and he'll learn Spanish

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super fast yeah not necessarily Goin you

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could give me anyone who's slightly

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driven and and uh disciplined and and

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they'll do way better

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with no I just I I just want to do the

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really easy stuff because otherwise I

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get stressed grow up stress the learner

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is placed under the more fear the more

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sense of intimidation the harder it is

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to produce the language this is called

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the effective like the emotional the

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effective filter obviously something

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that we want to minimize now because

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this Theory trash's theory of language

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acquisition and the emphasis on input

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had become very popular there was a

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counter theory proposed by a Canadian

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they've become very popular because

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again it's for the weak the lazy the

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mediocre and the cowards so if you tell

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you tell people just watch videos binge

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watch YouTube videos and you'll become

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fluent eventually people want it's

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basically telling people what they want

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to hear yeah you can lazy the lazy way

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effortlessly learn the

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language and I'm not saying that it's a

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lie uh it's just extremely inefficient

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and you're wasting thousands of hours of

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your time could have you could get much

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better results with proper work much

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sooner a language teacher called Merl

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Swain and based on her experience with

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uh English speaking kids in the uh

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French immersion program in Canadian

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schools so she said that there are three

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sort of points in her output hypothesis

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output is important because of the

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noticing hypothesis that by outputting

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Learners become aware of the gaps in

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their knowledge where they might think

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they know something when they go to

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speak and it doesn't you know come out

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the way they would like or they discover

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err yeah that's what retrial practice is

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try to say something get feedback and

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next time you try to say it again you

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probably say it better maybe not 100%

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correct but that's

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it I'm going to shock everyone by by

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saying that you don't need to talk to

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people

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to get immediate feedback yeah you can

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use flash cards translate from your

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language into the target language and

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then check and oh I got it right I got

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it wrong it's hard work to do this over

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and over

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again but it works it's infinitely more

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effective than just let's just read

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3,000 more hours of of mini stories you

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know but again you can't sell this to

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people errors then this helps them

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notice the gaps in their knowledge the

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second aspect of the output hypothesis

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was what she called the hypothesis

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testing function and that is that

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Learners would have some hypothesis

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about how the language works and that by

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speaking they're able to test whether

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their understanding of the language in

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fact corresponds to the way the language

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works yeah again you you try you make a

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mistake you get the feedback try again

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later and you try again later until you

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get all of them correctly that's it and

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the third thing she talks about is

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metalinguistic function which is

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summability for the learner to gain

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a better sort of overall sense of the

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structure of the language through output

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so there you have it the input

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hypothesis and the that makes sense as

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well um if I understood it correctly a

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better sort of overall sense of the

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structure of the language through output

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so there you have it the yeah if I

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understood that correctly and I have no

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idea the L is but I think I

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think from what I saw

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here right

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now what she's saying makes way more

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sense so the last part I think it means

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uh I think she means that by saying

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stuff like actually producing language

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you're learning from your mistakes and

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also you you're uh learning it better

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because you're internalizing the the

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language

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so if you're actively repeating things

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aloud you're saying them

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uh it's you much more likely to re

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remember whatever you repeating allow

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than simply watching it or simply

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reading it that's a fact that's

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obviously you remember it better if you

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because it's much more

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active so yeah this this all makes

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sense it really makes sense it's

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just it's just it let let's see how this

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how he spins this now to make it look uh

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ineffective and and say that

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comprehensible inputs infinitely better

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a learner to gain a better sort of

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overall sense of the structure of the

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language through output so there you

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have it the input hypothesis and the

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output hypothesis the output hypothesis

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Merl Swain developed this Theory based

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on looking at French immersion kids she

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claimed that the the kids in French

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immersion and she was doing this work in

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the 70s acquired native like

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comprehension in French but that certain

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again let's go back is in French

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immersion and she was doing this work in

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the 70s uh acquired

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was I wrong when I said a couple weeks

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ago that these people are stuck in the

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70s this hypothesis from 1853 when do

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this and that

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said it's

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2024 it's the internet we've got CH GPT

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we've got like d l

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we

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French kids learning French in school in

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the 70s in Canada that's your like

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that's what you're going to that's your

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example now to say that outputs not

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going to be effective

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so yeah all those all those Concepts

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there it all actually works that's

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that's good yeah you you try to produce

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language you make a mistake you get

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feedback try to produce language again

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get feedback constantly over and over

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and over again and it's it's difficult

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it's

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hard but you get much better much sooner

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than if you just just like a like a

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brainless zombie just watch videos

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and but it's hard work that's the

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problem but again all those things you

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can do them way more effectively now

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with with the internet we've got we've

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got all the technology you need native

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light comprehension in French but that

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certain errors in grammar persisted in

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their output my three grand children who

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went to school here in Canada they all

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went to French immersion two of them are

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not available so I spoke to my grandson

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and got some more insight on French

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immersion so first of all the input in a

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French immersion class is largely what

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comes from the teacher or their reading

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uh because there's 25 30 English

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speaking kids in a classroom the teacher

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speaks them in French they reply to the

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teacher in French or they're supposed to

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they're supposed to speak French to

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their class so the example to prove that

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output is worse than input is that it's

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a

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classroom you you use in a classroom to

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prove that output is it's worse than

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input a

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classroom come on askm and they don't so

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the amount of input they get is is

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somewhat limited it's nowhere near the

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kind of input that we recommended link

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that people need you know hours and

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hours and hours of listening in order to

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acquire a language so it's limited input

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their major output activity is writing

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true they don't get to speak very much

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they might reply to the teacher my

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grandson said it would have been a good

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idea and maybe this is something that's

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possible nowadays to have a zoom session

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which with French speaking school kids

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in Quebec

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or outut you listen and repeat thousands

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of sentences and you do retrial practice

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with thousands of sentences translating

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into the language and then getting the

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feedback and repeating the sentence

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allowed correctly you do both over and

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over and over again with your language

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Island your own sentences and with

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sentences prepared to learn grammar like

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every grammar point and all the basic

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vocabulary or even Advanced

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vocabulary and and that's it that's

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output and you will in the same amount

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of hours like if you do it for the same

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amount of time you you're going to

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destroy anyone who's doing just

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input 100 hours of properly done

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output if youve memorized vocabulary as

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well yeah and and you're doing better

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you're speaking better than a thousand

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hours of input that's a fact in France

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or Belgium or some FR speaking country

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somewhere else but that was not the case

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they didn't do that so writing but

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writing is very good and they used to

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write by hand and that was a very good

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way to generate put and of course when

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you're writing you have the time to look

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things up and and work on your grammar

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my life is just completely 360 you know

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uh Del to developer is what the code

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Institute call me and like I wake up

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every morning they also had a lot of

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grammar instruction however the net

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result is they do continue making a lot

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of grammar mistakes and I know from my

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own experience when I went to school and

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we did French we had a lot of grammar

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instruction and I also continued making

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a lot of mistakes so now he's talking

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about studying grammar so what does that

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have to do with output again retal

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practice sentences from your native

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language into the target language get

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feedback and then try again and that's

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how you learn the grammar why are you

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now

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like what does output have to do with

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studying grammar rules it's just it

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always goes back to the same thing until

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I had had enough input because I became

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motivated and I listened and I read

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books and I watched movies and

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eventually went to France this this is

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what happens when like your only tool is

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a hammer so everything looks like a nail

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like I just need more

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input so the thought that somehow a more

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grammar focused or output focused you

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know approach to teaching in the schools

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is z is is

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his because I became motivated and I

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listened and I read books and I watched

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movies and eventually went to France so

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the thought that somehow a more grammar

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focused or output focused so now he's

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putting gram studying grammar and output

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both in the same package who said they

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have who said output means studying

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grammar

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roles nobody said that you know approach

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to teaching in the schools is going to

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how long have 17 minutes it's feeling

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like I was already to reduce the amount

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of errors that the kids make I'm

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somewhat skeptical and I go back to

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crash's Natural order of acquisition I

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go back to the fact that people who are

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very fluent in English that I've done

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business with from different countries

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they continue to make mistakes like we

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continue to make mistakes that's just

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part of the process of acquiring a

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language and so this gets me to the

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point of like what is output what is

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speaking why we want to put pressure on

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people to speak communicating implies a

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two-way flow of information if you can

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output something if you can say

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something but you don't understand what

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the other person is saying you are not

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communicating so an emphasis on output

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getting people to speak getting people

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to speak

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okay if you're doing again retrieve or

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practice is output if you do retrieval

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practice of course you understand as

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well if you do listen and repeating

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which is also output of course you

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understand when people talk to you

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because you've learned pronunciation

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really well because you've been

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listening and repeating sentences yeah

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over and over again so you have learned

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how the pronunciation works in the

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language and if you've been doing output

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with retrial

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practice translating into the language

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checking getting

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feedback of course you remember all

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those words and all all that grammar so

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between those two you will understand if

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you can say it you can understand it

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yeah it's not that complic

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speak in a non-meaningful way and that's

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where my grandson's suggest you know

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what what also is not

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communicating understanding the language

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pretty well because you've done a

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million hours of dreaming Spanish but

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not being able to speak because you

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haven't trained your speaking skills

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that's also not communicating that's

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that's just like being

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like y BL

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uh these people having an exchange with

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students from a French speaking school

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is so good because then it becomes

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meaningful communication however if the

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teacher is then monitoring this

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communication between school kids and

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say Quebec and and West Vancouver and

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the kids are aware of that that

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introduces again this effective filter

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the concern that they will

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be again who says that output is

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like that you need to be in a in a

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classroom with 30 other kids and a

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teacher to do it's just he just took his

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uh grandkids or whoever as an example

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and there in in a classroom that's

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output so that invalidates that output

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being good

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and but

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that's so basically according to C

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output means go into classes and doing

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grammar exercises which is extremely

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inefficient and ineffective and boring

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and also yeah just overall not good and

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so that's

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output but that's not output

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it's just like this this this thing that

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I don't like and I don't want to I I

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want to prove that it doesn't work so

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I'm going

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to I I want to put it in the same group

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of this other thing that it has nothing

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to do with that doesn't work and then

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I'll claim they the same thing so thing

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a doesn't work either because it's in

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the same group as as thing B which it's

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just I mean people do it all the time

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it's just if you don't like something

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and you you don't you don't really have

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good arguments against it it's just you

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you you mis represent it and you put it

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in

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a uh yeah you you give it some of the

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characteristics that it doesn't really

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have and you pretend that it doesn't

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work judged on how well they speak which

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of course is counterproductive what you

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want them to do is to engage in

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communication try out what they can try

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or what they they feel comfortable using

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and gradually grow their language skills

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in that way in fact from the research on

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how the brain gets to Output it's clear

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that the brain will throw something out

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that's in its memory that's put there

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either through listening or reading or

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whatever speaking it's sort of thrown on

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the wall so to speak and it gets a

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conversation going if we're struggling

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in a new language and then the second

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thing the brain does is it goes to a

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structure that we used before that again

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sort of scaffolds the speaker who's

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uncertain in the language into at least

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being able to produce something and then

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it'll pick up on what comes back but we

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do need to have this treasure chest of

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words and structures that we've heard so

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often and read so often that we're

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confident in trying them out and Beyond

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the fact that we need to be able to

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understand what the other person is

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saying so here again just being able to

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say something a limited number of things

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not understand what's said back to you

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is not communicating and the difficulty

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with trying to pressure people to speak

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before they're ready is that they can

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only use a very limited range of

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vocabulary this means that the other

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party to

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[Music]

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the you know who has a very limited

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range of

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vocabulary people who only do inputs

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because they've never tried

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to actually use that vocabulary in

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conversation so they understand a lot of

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words if they've done thousands of hours

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of

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input but most of the vocabulary is

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going to be passive vocabulary you know

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how you train your active vocabulary how

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you grow it fast you do retrieval

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practice which is output into the target

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language and you get feedback and if you

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don't know a word you'll

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immediately realize that you don't know

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the word and then you'll get the answer

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so next time you'll remember the word

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maybe not next time but probably after a

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couple of mistakes you remember it make

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a mistake you try you make a mistake get

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feedback you try again make a mistake

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get feedback over and over and over

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again and that's how you increase

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your your active vocabulary not by

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breathing more yeah you

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can recognize a lot of obscure words but

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can you use them in conversation 99% of

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them you can't conversation can only use

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a limited range of vocabulary at them so

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the opportunity for growth and sort of

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language knowledge there is quite

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limited and finally grammar is not

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communicating I played golf again the

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other day with a young man who went to

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the Royal

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military so what does again what does

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old have to with the grammar it's just

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yeah I don't know

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it's anyway I'm I'm tired of this um

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thanks for thanks for watching I hope

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this uh clarifies my stance on input

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versus output of course input is also

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useful you should listen to the language

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um but just reading lots and lots and

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lots it's not going to and I'll binge

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watching lots and lots of videos It's

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not the the most efficient way to learn

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a language not even close and if you

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want to get good at speaking in a

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reasonable amount of time you need to do

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a lot of output as well a lot of

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speaking listening

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repeating a lot of retrial practice Yeah

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use language Islands especially yeah

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listening and repeating with them and

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then uh retrial practice with them you

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learn all the grammar like that without

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studying without going to classes all

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the stuff he's talking about doesn't

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make any

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sense uh that's how you learn to speak

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anyway thanks for watching see you later

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Related Tags
Language LearningInput HypothesisOutput HypothesisActive SpeakingRetrieval PracticeCommunication SkillsEducational DebateEfficient LearningAcquisition TheorySecond Language