The importance of contextualizing language

Contextualization is the meaningful use of the language for real communicative purposes. It helps students understand how language users construct language in a given context



In Module 2, the focus is on the need to be aware of the specific language within that context. That is, the awareness, the attention, and the noticing of the particular features of language that add to learning. This means that it is important to pay attention to language form, for example, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. However, teaching these formal aspects of language through rules, exercises, memorization, and drills does not appear to be entirely effective. Research shows that selectively focusing on aspects of language use within a given context can be even more effective. Language awareness is the name for this kind of focus. And, because language awareness is a focus on the pragmatic uses of language, the language input must be in context. Two additional requirements of language awareness are that: * The context should reflect language that learners are most likely to use. * And, language practice in context should be accompanied by conscious effort and reflection on that practice.