The Dialogue Approach
To communicate rapidly and effectively in a foreign language

The Natural Learning Environment

3. A Harmonious and Non-Frustrating Process

Another facets of instruction involved adaptation to the cognitive style of the learner. One could say, as per Reinert, that a person’s cognitive style is the way he or she is “programmed to learn in the most effective possible way.” Everyone has a personal way of learning. This teaching strategy is based on the social style of the person, the way he or she lives in society. If this fundamental student need is not respected and nurtured, the learning process becomes frustrating. In an encounter with a foreign language and an attempt to communicate in it, students search confusedly to fulfill their need for self validation, or belonging, or knowledge, or security.

Thanks to Persona instruction, the Dialogue teacher can recognize and strategically respond to these individual, and varying personal styles. The instructor respects the student’s pace of learning and his or her way of structuring the world, all with an essential knowledge of what motivates, or frustrates, the student as a unique individual.