The Effectiveness of Language Learning Based on the Knowledge Structure Framework

The Effectiveness of Language Learning Based on the Knowledge Structure Framework

When children learn language, it is important to know what they are learning as well as how it is dealt with in the learning process. Knowledge structure is about how people organize their knowledge of the world so as to understand and retain new information. Since all contents have knowledge structures, a content can be learned by its knowledge structure framework. This study is to explore the effectiveness of language learning based on the knowledge structure framework, and to investigate how a graphic organizer can facilitate the learning of knowledge structure. In order to do this, a nine-year old Korean immigrant boy was taught with texts based on the knowledge structure framework, and aided by graphic organizers in the learning process. The learning processes were recorded onto audio tapes and were later transcribed to examine the linguistic devices the student used. This study revealed that the student showed improvement in language and content learning, which had been taught using the knowledge structure framework, and the graphic organizer played a key role in 'scaffolding'. It is suggested that English should be taught in a meaningful context, and this emphasis on content should be applied to curricula as well as textbooks.