Seed Learning Inc. was established to provide the best language learning products and services for developing our global human resources according to the needs of the 21st century. The focus of our publications lies in the Four Strands Approach to well-balanced language development. Therefore, all of our publications incorporate meaning-focused input and output learning opportunities, language-focused practice and intentional fluency development for well-balanced language learning. To fulfill our mission, world-class scholars in the field of teaching English, well-experienced native authors, and diverse professional groups of English educators serve as consultants and writers for all our publications. We are committed to providing publications and services to meet our customers’ needs in creating engaging and effective language learning programs. As we continue to develop innovative educational materials and training services, Seed Learning will strive to lead the way in R & D and market-oriented business development targeting the best educational solutions for our clients.
A well-balanced language course should consist of four roughly equal strands:
1. Learning through meaning-focused input; that is, through listening and reading where the learners' attention is on the ideas and messages conveyed by the language.
2. Learning through deliberate attention to language items and language features; that is, through attention to the sounds and spelling of the language, through direct vocabulary study, through grammar exercises and explanation, and through deliberate attention to discourse features.
3. Learning through meaning-focused output; that is, through speaking and writing where the learners' attention is on conveying ideas and messages to another person.
4. Developing fluent use of known language items and features over the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing; that is, becoming fluent with what is already known.
A well-planned language course has an appropriate balance of these four strands.
Nation, I.S.P. (1996) The four strands of a language course. TESOL in Context 6, 1: 7-12.