Comprehensible Input and the Looptail G

Yes, multiple exposures and in-context language use are fundamental. But sometimes they’re not enough.

I recently came across the “looptail G study”, a fun challenge for English speakers. Try it for yourself:

This simple experiment showed test subjects four examples of the typed lower-case G and asked them to identify the right one. Less than 30 percent of testers could select the correct G, and even less could write it. For everyone else, the nuanced differences in the four examples were too subtle to identify, much less produce.

These results have fascinating implications for world language instruction! The looptail G is a textbook example of language acquisition through pure comprehensible input (and no direct instruction). Note:

1. Readers of English have presumably had tens of thousands in-context exposures to the looptail G.

“I only became aware of these language features when they were pointed out to me. Now I can’t un-see them. ”

2. They have never had explicit instruction, nor practice, in using the looptail G. This form of the letter is not typically taught in school, and English speakers are never asked to produce it (at least not in handwriting. I’ve produced it probably a dozen times in this blog post already… but as I type it, the form of the letter is more or less unconscious.)

3. The majority of test subjects could not even identify the correct letter, much less produce it.

I think there’s an important lesson here as we consider implementing comprehensible input in our classroom. Yes, multiple exposures and in-context language use are fundamental. But sometimes it’s not enough. There may be a place for some direct instruction in helping our students notice and implement patterns in the language. An occasional well-placed grammar lesson (or – gasp! - practice worksheet!) can go a long way toward strengthening students’ awareness and accuracy. Two things can be true at once, and refusing any direct instruction is an overreaction.

After all – I’m a LOT more aware of the looptail G form in English. It’s everywhere! I recognize it, but I can’t really produce it. I also noticed, there’s a looped A form which I also wasn’t conscious of and can’t produce. I became aware of these features when they were pointed out to me. Now I can’t un-see them.

Did you choose the correct G? Share in the comments!

Read the article from Johns Hopkins University