TY - JOUR
AU - Ron Sheen
AB - This article addresses a developing myth in language teaching based on Long's (1988) focus on form. Long's approach assumes that form‐focused instruction is best provided during communicative activity, and is justified only by difficulties in communication. It also casts form‐focused instruction in separate sessions—otherwise known as focus on formS—in a negative light. This article argues that the advocacy of focus on form as the most effective teaching strategy is only theoretically motivated, and lacks credibility in terms of the empirical evidence available. To demonstrate this, it takes oft‐cited research used to support a focus on form, and demonstrates that the supposed focus on form instruction actually entailed the contributive use of a focus on formS. Further, it shows that comparative research reveals that a focus on formS is consistently just as effective, or more, than other options. The article concludes with suggestions as to how we might prevent the creation of myths. Received April 2002. Copyright Oxford University Press 2003 « Previous | Next Article » Table of Contents This Article ELT J (2003) 57 (3): 225-233. doi: 10.1093/elt/57.3.225 » Abstract Free Full Text (PDF) Free Classifications Article Services Article metrics Alert me when cited Alert me if corrected Find similar articles Similar articles in Web of Science Add to my archive Download citation Request Permissions Citing Articles Load citing article information Citing articles via CrossRef Citing articles via Scopus Citing articles via Web of Science Citing articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sheen, R. Search for related content Related Content Load related web page information Share Email this article CiteULike Delicious Facebook Google+ Mendeley Twitter What's this? 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TI - Focus on form–a myth in the making?
JO - ELT Journal
DO - 10.1093/elt/57.3.225
DA - 2003-07-01
UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/oxford-university-press/focus-on-form-a-myth-in-the-making-rmTPtur0eE
SP - 225
VL - 57
IS - 3
DP - DeepDyve
ER -