~ learning by exploring is ineffective for beginners, but very effective for advanced learners

❐ Curse of the Chocolate-Covered Broccoli's summary of the expertise reversal effect

In other words, if the acquisition of a core working lexico-grammar is the key task of Phase 1 learning, the acquisition of a fully-fledged system of interpersonal and inter-cultural communication would seem to be the key task of Phase 2 learning. I see the differences between the two phases, however, as differences of emphasis, not as absolute ones. I do not claim that real-text input and real-life practice have no role at earlier proficiency levels - rather, Phase 1 learners appear to need structured and explicit instruction in language form, genuinely comprehensible input, and unthreatening, structured practice as the core of their learning method.

❐ Going it alone﹕ self-instruction in adult foreign-language learning