Comparing the Effectiveness of Form-Focused and Meaning-Focused Instructions in EFL Teaching

Abstract

While meaning-focused instruction is based on the idea that learners learn the second language if they follow the natural principles of first language learning, form-focused instruction pays much attention to linguistic form. Two groups were formed and had a five-week extensive reading program in this study. The control group received meaning-focused instruction and experimental group underwent form-focused instruction. The study found that both form-focused and meaning focused instruction are to a certain degree effective for the increase of vocabulary, grammar and reading proficiency. Though to some extent more efficient than form-focused instruction, meaning focused instruction alone will not greatly raise the mentioned skills, thus a recommendation is given to apply both approaches and to study the efficiency of the mixed approach.