10 Organizing Principles for Language Acquisition

1.		Teaching will never suffice for what learning must accomplish.
2.		Languages are learned, not taught.
3.		Language acquisition is a psychological process, not a logical one.
4.		Language is largely a problem-solving device. When it is not used to that end, it becomes the problem.
5.		A child will not exceed, in L2, the ability he or she has in L1.
6.		It is possible to communicate in a less than accurate fashion.
7.		Linguistic accuracy assures that the largest number of us shall have the best opportunity to understand one another.
8.		Linguistic accuracy is a destination, not a point of departure.
9.		The conventions (rules) of a given language must not impede the invention of that language.
10.		People who communicate take risks. There is an intimate relationship between language acquisition and the amount of risk-taking, vulnerability and intuition encouraged.