Student Roles:
* Active Listener: Students are primarily listeners in the early stages. They focus on understanding the meaning of the input rather than producing perfect grammar. They are encouraged to pay attention to the overall message, not individual words or grammatical structures.
* Meaning Negotiator: Students are expected to use various strategies to understand the meaning, such as contextual clues, gestures, and facial expressions. They actively participate in communication, even if their output is limited.
* Low-Anxiety Learner: The emphasis on comprehension and a relaxed atmosphere minimizes anxiety about making mistakes. Students are encouraged to communicate freely without fear of correction.
* Observational Learner: Students learn by observing and listening to the teacher and other students using the target language. They gradually develop their own ability to speak through this immersion and modeling.
* Self-Motivated Learner: Success depends heavily on the student's intrinsic motivation. The emphasis on meaning and communication makes the learning process more engaging and personally relevant.
Teacher Roles:
* Facilitator: The teacher's primary role is to create a supportive and communicative environment. They are not a grammar drill instructor but a facilitator of learning.
* Comprehension Input Provider: The teacher provides comprehensible input through various activities, including storytelling, dialogues, songs, and real-life situations. This input should be slightly above the student's current level (i+1).
* Meaningful Communication Creator: The teacher designs activities and uses language that are relevant and meaningful to students.
* Supportive and Encouraging Guide: The teacher offers encouragement and support, fostering a positive learning environment. They understand that errors are a natural part of the learning process and are less focused on immediate correction.
* Model: The teacher serves as a model for fluent and accurate language use.
* Communicator: The teacher engages with students in meaningful interaction using the target language, focusing on communication rather than grammar instruction.
In short, the Natural Approach shifts the focus from explicit grammar instruction and error correction to creating a communicative environment where students develop comprehension and fluency naturally. The teacher acts more as a facilitator and guide, while the student is an active participant who learns through immersion and meaningful interaction.