“that knowledge of language for a human is like knowledge of the jungle for an animal. The animal does not ‘have’ the jungle; it knows how to use the jungle and to live in it. Perhaps we can say by analogy that we do not ‘have’ or ‘possess’ language, but that we learn to use it and ‘live in it’… We ‘learn’ language in the same way that an animal ‘learns’ the forest, or a plant ‘learns’ the soil.”

To me, this ecological view is very suggestive. At the very least, it suggests creating classroom environments that are linguistically fertile, socially-situated, interactive, and where language is available as a tool for making meaning.

I love the JUNGLE metaphor. I think there is even a heavy meatal song with the line ‘Welcome to the Jungle!’.I know what you mean about the Hollywood version of the classroom as a jungle. I would go as far as to say that life is one big jungle. Do you remember Arnold Schwarznegger in the film ‘kindergarten Cop’ ?

After a spate in State Primary Schools in Spain I would say that every jungle needs a King! A jungle without a King is like a free for all! A killing field where survival of this fittest is the norm.

A jungle can be a thing of immense beauty but, if you go off willy nilly without provisions you are playing a dangerous game. Arm yourself with supplies before you set off!

I recommend good classroom management skills, plenty of enthusiasm, a positve attitude, motivation and a good guide book that you can rely on if all else fails!