Language learners should be exposed only to the forms they are taught.

I do not agree with the assumption. Our education system in India does not allow a language teacher
to have more than 5 hours a week. These classes focus more on theoretical aspects of English
grammar such as parts of speech, tenses, correction of errors, vocabulary building. The focus is more
on form than function. Teachers normally do not allow a student to speak in the classroom (Yes,
stark reality) because they are busy giving lecture or translating the English text into vernacular
language for the students to understand. Syllabus completion, seeing that students score good
marks in the examination, large classrooms are some the realities a teacher has to come into terms
with, because of which he/she will not be able to expose the students to necessary or appropriate
forms inside the classroom. Students cannot become fluent in language in such a setting, their
learning slips off once they step out of the classroom.

In such scenario, it is important for students to find other forms of learning outside the classroom.
One should discover opportunities to practice language expressions to acquire and use them in the
world outside the classroom, find out resources on Internet such as blogs, podcasts, videos on
YouTube, English tutorials, listening to songs, watching movies with subtitles, using applications to
such Duolingo etc., In other words, they can adopt many more methods of language learning other
than what is taught in the classroom. Acquisition can come in many forms.

It is high time English classrooms, especially in primary education, should adopt various new
teaching learning approaches. Role playing, pair work, JAM sessions, group discussions, creating
English clubs or any other method that kindles the young learners are to be introduced in the
curriculum. Students are to be told how they are going to use the language in real life, whether
ordering food in a restaurant, talking to the clerk in a bank, finding directions to a place.

To conclude, students should utilise all forms of learning, not depending only on classroom practice
and keep themselves busy using language expressions.