From Structured Input to Purposeful Output

An example with the French imparfait/passé composé distinction

Abstract

This Finestra presents a pedagogical technique called Structured Input, which is designed to help second language learners make form-meaning connections from grammatical forms in the input they are exposed to. In this article, I will first outline the major theoretical principles that informed the development of Structured Input as an instructional technique. I will then demonstrate how to design Structured Input activities for the communicative language classroom, thereby providing ready-to-use activities for a grammar unit on the imparfait/passé composé distinction meant to enable learners to talk about past professional experiences as they prepare for a job interview in French.