Teacher-Centered

Learner-Centered

Focus is on instructor

Focus is on both students and instructor

Focus is on language forms and structures (what the instructor knows about the language)

Focus is on language use in typical situations (how students will use the language)

Instructor talks; students listen

Instructor models; students interact with instructor and one another

Students work alone

Students work in pairs, in groups, or alone depending on the purpose of the activity

Instructor monitors and corrects every student utterance

Students talk without constant instructor monitoring; instructor provides feedback/correction when questions arise

Instructor answers students’ questions about language

Students answer each other’s questions, using instructor as an information resource

Instructor chooses topics

Students have some choice of topics

Instructor evaluates student learning

Students evaluate their own learning; instructor also evaluates

Classroom is quiet

Classroom is often noisy and busy