H.D. Brown ’ s 10 Commandments of English Teaching and Learning

H. D. Brown argued for a “strategies” based instructional model. The teacher would change depending on the needs of learners and material etc…. So too would the learner need to change. Strategies were based on sound psychological ideas governing human behavior and learning.

Can you match the Teacher ’ s Commandments with the Learner ’ s Commandment?

  Teacher's Version Learner's Version

1Lower inhibitions Cope with the chaos

2Encourage risk-taking Go with your hunches

3Build self-confidence Set your own goals

4Develop intrinsic motivation Dive in

5Engage in cooperative learning Get the BIG picture

6Use right-brain processes Make mistakes work FOR you

7Promote ambiguity tolerance Believe in yourself

8Practice intuition Fear not!

9Process error feedback Seize the day

10Set personal goals Love thy neighbour

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Answers

  Teacher's Version Learner's Version

1Lower inhibitions Fear not!

2Encourage risk-taking Dive in

3Build self-confidence Believe in yourself

4Develop intrinsic motivation Seize the day

5Engage in cooperative learning Love thy neighbour

6Use right-brain processes Get the BIG picture

7Promote ambiguity tolerance Cope with the chaos

8Practice intuition Go with your hunches

9Process error feedback Make mistakes work FOR you

10Set personal goals Set your own goals

Brown, H. D. (2000) Principles of Language Learning and Teaching. New York: Longman.