We all tend to think of ourselves as doing something that is vastly different from the way things used to be done in language teaching. And yes, the way we teach the language is indeed light years away from the old ways. But John Piazza reminds us that in our dealings with teachers who are simply trying to understand what we do, we should perhaps focus more on what we share in common than on how we differ. Below is one of the wisest statements I have ever read about TPRS/CI instruction, which I am adding to the Primer page above. Parts of it should perhaps be memorized by anyone who is in a position to build a bridge to teachers who still use the book, and thank you for this deep insight, John:
…I also think it is important to emphasize that you are not trying to radically alter what kids learn. Don’t freak out someone who is already worried about big changes. Rather, tell them that you are simply presenting the language (including grammar) in ways that ALL types of learners can understand and acquire, according to the latest research on how our brains acquire language. Also, this comprehension-based instruction is most in line with school mission statements and mandates regarding different learning styles and special needs students….