Spiral Learning

Excerpts from the Approaches to learning and teaching series, courtesy of Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment International Education: cambridge.org/approachestolearning

What is spiral learning? The idea behind spiral learning is that learners learn more about a particular subject each time that subject is reviewed and practised. This approach is relevant to teaching Primary ESL Standard Program. As learners progress through the primary stages, language and skills which have been studied previously should be reviewed, extended and integrated into different practice tasks. This approach to learning is built into the curriculum framework. For example, simple modal forms can and can’t to describe ability are introduced in Stage 1 and the range and usage of modal forms are extended and developed through all primary stages. By Stage 6 learners are given opportunities to use a wide range of modal forms for different purposes. You should use this same approach in the classroom: Introduce a context at the start of a lesson and include language which can be integrated into later practice activities. Introduce specific language in one lesson through a receptive reading or listening context. Then, in later lessons, help learners to extend and practise this language in a productive speaking or writing activity.