Form-focused

Form-focused refers to an approach to language teaching or learning that prioritizes the grammatical structure, morphological correctness, and precise use of language forms (such as verb conjugations, sentence structure, and word order) over communicative fluency or pragmatic appropriateness. It often involves explicit instruction in grammar rules, error correction, and exercises designed to practice and master specific linguistic forms. This approach typically emphasizes accuracy and adherence to prescriptive norms of language use.

Form-focused meaning with examples

• In the English class, the teacher adopted a form-focused approach, spending the majority of the lesson on conjugating irregular verbs and practicing complex sentence structures. The students spent the time analyzing and correcting grammatical errors rather than engaging in spontaneous conversations. Their goal was to be grammatically correct above all else.
• The textbook's exercises were highly form-focused, featuring numerous fill-in-the-blank activities and sentence transformation tasks. The lessons focused on practicing grammatical concepts instead of reading or speaking. While the students improved their understanding of grammar, their speaking and reading abilities were still not up to the same level.
• The researcher found the students that underwent form-focused instruction demonstrated better results in the grammar sections of their exam compared to those who studied conversation, but showed no significant gains in their listening and speaking abilities.
• Form-focused activities, such as drilling or completing grammar worksheets, were incorporated to reinforce the correct use of tenses and agreement. Though this method assisted with correctness, students found it somewhat boring and sometimes challenging to apply in conversations.