Creating Communicative Classrooms With Experiential Design.

For years reformers have been recommending that language teaching and learning be viewed as a system of communication, with the ultimate goal being the development of functional ability in learners (Musumeci, 1997). Many U.S. world language teachers continue to focus on grammatical tendencies, using English as the medium of instruction. As a solution to providing secondary world language teachers with more than a method to teach in a communicative manner this article suggests that they become informed about and familiar with Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound design. By understanding and using the Expeditionary Learning philosophy and design, students and teachers may be able to focus on communication by engaging in experiential learning experiences, investigations, and expeditions, and use the world language during classroom lessons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]