It is clear that students do not learn everything they are taught. On the other hand, there is another fact that they eventually know far more than they are taught directly. Some aspects of second language emerge and involve according to ‘natural sequences of development’. So, they can learn certain language features when they are developmentally ready. However, vocabulary can be taught at any time if the learners are interested in. they can use their own internal learning mechanism to discover many of the complex rules and relationships. Therefore, it can be said that learners learn much more than they are taught.
My opinion on this idea:
I agree on the explanations about this idea. I think the critical point is that it is important to decide which language features involve learners’ developmental readiness. If they are appropriate for the learners’ ages, interest, needs, experiences and learning styles, learning or teaching can be more successful. Teachers should be aware of the fact that students can learn lots of thinks than we expected from them.