An effective strategy for internalizing language-- inner speech

摘要

This paper presents an overview of the characteristics of inner speech which isrnfundamental to an effective outer speech. The relationship between inner speech andrnself-awareness is explored. There is a possibility that inner speech might justrnrepresent the cognitive process of processing information about itself. Inner speechrnparallels the state of self-awareness, is more frequently used among highly selfconsciousrnpersons, and represents an effective, if not indispensable, tool involved inrnthe formation of the self-concept. The benefits of inner speech such as Increasingrnmemory retention and deep processing are discussed. Then it challenges the popularrnassumption that the silent period produced by the learner is a negative phenomenon.rnThe assumption that outer voice indicates language learning is so deeply rooted inrnsome of the language teachers that silent period may be a sign of inactivity or notrndoing anything at all. Thus a lot of emphasis is laid on reading aloud after the teacherrnand questions-and – answers. The teachers’ intervention actually inhabits inner voicernand interferes with learners’ active mental representations and language learning. Thernpaper calls for early training of inner speech and suggests concentrating on learners’rnvocabulary at beginning level and postponing reading until substantial vocabulary hasrnbeen acquired so as to ensure inner voice development. Since inner speech facilitatesrnlearning especially oral English, different kinds of learning activities have beenrndesigned to help produce inner speech. The paper also stresses the importance ofrnusing authentic materials and making use of L1 inner speech so as to providernfavourable learning conditions.