What are the common views of language learning?
There are three views on language learning. The first, and the most
traditional of the three, is the structural view. It sees language as a system
of structurally related elements for the coding meaning. The target of
language learning is seen to be mastery of elements of this system.
The second view of language is the functional view. It sees language as a
vehicle for the expression of functional meaning. The communicative movement
in language teaching refers to this view of language. This theory emphasizes
the semantic and communicative dimension rather than the grammatical
characteristics of language.
The third view of language can be called the interactional view. It sees
language as a vehicle for the realization of interpersonal relations and for
the performance of social transactions between individuals. Language is seen
as a tool for the creation and maintenance of social relations.
