The natural approach to teaching second language students involves four stages: comprehension, early production, speech emerges, and intermediate fluency. During the initial comprehension stage, teachers should use visual aids, speak slowly, and not require English practice. The early production stage involves yes/no answers and one-word responses. The speech emerges stage includes short phrases and dialog. Finally, the intermediate fluency stage focuses on longer phrases, sentences, and narratives. Throughout the process, the natural approach emphasizes meaning over grammar and uses the native language, visuals, and a comfortable classroom environment to lower anxiety and facilitate acquisition.

1. The Natural Approach All information from these slides was provided by Diane Enright during our ED 684 First and Second Language Acquisition in Bilingual/ESOL class, winter of 2010.

2. The natural approach to teaching CLD students guides them through four stages: comprehension, early production, speech emerges and intermediate fluency.

3. During the comprehension stage (AKA – the silent period) teachers should: Use many visual aids. Speak slowly emphasizing key words. Do not make practicing English mandatory. Practice choral responses (whole group responses lower the affective filter). Print key words on chart paper.

4. Teacher tools for helping during the silent period: word banks vocabulary journals with pictures pictures, pictures, and more pictures beginning level sentence stripes (ELD sentence frames) Teacher tools for helping during the silent period: - word banks - vocabulary journals with pictures - pictures, pictures, and more pictures - beginning level sentence stripes (ELD sentence frames)

5. Stage 2 – Early production Students will answer yes/no, respond with one one word answers from general questions, list words and start stringing words together. Stage 2 – Early production Students will answer yes/no, respond with one one word answers from general questions, list words and start stringing words together.

6. Activities to be used during the Early Production stage: open dialog interview with questions and guidelines written out charts, tables, and graphs ELD sentence stripes more pictures Activities to be used during the Early Production stage : - open dialog - interview with questions and guidelines written out - charts, tables, and graphs - ELD sentence stripes - more pictures

7. Stage 3 – Speech Emerges Students will speak in short phrases, use three or more words at a time, and use dialog. Stage 3 – Speech Emerges Students will speak in short phrases, use three or more words at a time, and use dialog.

8. Stage 4 Intermediate Fluency Students will use longer phrases, begin to master complete sentences, extended discourse, and narrative. Stage 4 Intermediate Fluency Students will use longer phrases, begin to master complete sentences, extended discourse, and narrative.

9. Activities to be used during the Speech Emerges and the Intermediate Fluency stages are unlimited during these phases. Any games that encourage speech production and comprehension (20 questions, alphabet games, grid games). Activities to be used during the Speech Emerges and the Intermediate Fluency stages are unlimited during these phases. Any games that encourage speech production and comprehension (20 questions, alphabet games, grid games).

10. The Natural Approach emphasizes meaning and content not grammatical exercises. Native language use is encouraged during the earlier stages. The main focus is on classroom atmosphere and lowering the affective filter. This coupled with many visuals and activities will lead to second language acquisition. The Natural Approach emphasizes meaning and content not grammatical exercises. Native language use is encouraged during the earlier stages. The main focus is on classroom atmosphere and lowering the affective filter. This coupled with many visuals and activities will lead to second language acquisition.