Investigating the Relevancy of Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle for Second Language Acquisition

Abstract

This chapter reviews the relevancy of Kolb's experiential learning cycle to the field of second language acquisition, particularly with respect to linguistic and cultural competence. The chapter begins with an overview of the fundamental principles of Kolb's experiential learning cycle and its place in the educational realm and then moves to an examination of potential applications of the cycle to the acquisition of second language grammar via the PACE model (Adair-Hauck & Donato, 2002a, 2002b) and to the development of students' intercultural competence via Allan's intercultural learning spiral (Allan, 2003). The chapter ends with an exploration of ways in which readers may conceivably implement this information in their own respective contexts.