The Language Experience Approach (LEA) is a method of literacy instruction that uses students’ own experiences and language as the basis for reading and writing activities. This learner-centered approach is particularly effective for beginning readers, English language learners, and students with learning difficulties.
Key features of the Language Experience Approach include:
- Personal Experiences: Students dictate stories or descriptions based on their own experiences or observations.
- Transcription: The teacher or facilitator writes down the student‘s words exactly as they are spoken.
- Reading Practice: The written text becomes reading material for the student, who practices reading their own words.
- Vocabulary Development: New words are introduced in a meaningful context, enhancing vocabulary acquisition.
- Writing Skills: As students progress, they begin to write their own stories, building on the skills developed through dictation.
The LEA is based on the principle that learning to read is easier when the content is familiar and personally relevant to the learner. It helps students understand the connection between spoken and written language, and promotes a positive attitude towards reading and writing by validating their experiences and language use.
This approach is often used in conjunction with other literacy methods to provide a well-rounded language arts curriculum.
