Unveiling the Significance: Pattern Practice in Language Learning

Abstract

This theoretical article sheds light on an aspect of traditional language teaching that is still used in foreign language teaching classrooms and commonly called drills. These repetitive drills are designed to practice specific language elements, such as grammar structures. The current paper tries to test the assumption that the practice of mechanical drills helps students of English reinforce the learning of the target language through practice. Thus, the paper mainly evaluates the role of “mechanical practice,” or “pattern practice” in improving the learning of the target language with a particular emphasis on the learning advantages of a type of mechanical practice called repetition drills. Tracing recent research on drills, the researcher concludes that if used appropriately and in some pedagogical situations contextualized, the practice of these drills can be effective for language learning and should be included as a key part of the instructional practice.