The Language Experience Approach

The Language Experience Approach is a way of working on reading and writing which draws on a student's own language and experiences and uses the spoken word as a basis for reading and writing.

This method allows the student to move from talking into the core task of writing. The writing produced becomes reading material with content that is relevant for the student.

This method can be used at all levels although it is especially useful to use with students lacking confidence in getting started with reading and writing. The writing produced will reflect the student's capabilities and provide direction for goal setting.

How to produce Student Writing using the Language Experience Approach

• The tutor talks to the student about producing a piece of writing based on his/her experiences. The tutor explains the process of the Language Experience Approach.
• Through conversation the student and tutor confirm the 'experience' that will be used for the writing.
• The tutor writes whatever the student says, using the exact words of the student.
• The tutor reads it back - discussing the following points with the student:

•   Is it what she/he wanted to say?
•   Is it all in the right order?
•   Does it start well?
•   Does it finish as she/he wanted?
•   Does it have the right tone?
•   Is anything missing?

• The tutor and student discuss the layout of the writing.
• If changes are made, the student or the tutor may re-write the story.
• The writing can be used as reading material for the student and as a reading resource for others with the student's permission.

Click here to download 'How did it go?' (PDF 84kb) a checklist for tutors to evaluate the Language Experience Approach Session.

Links:

• What is the language experience approach? (SIL International)
• The Language Experience Approach and Adult Learners (Eric Digest)
• Literacy Connections: In Their Own Words