The Input vs Output Language Learning Methods

The debate about how to best learn a new language is usually split into two different approaches, the Input Method and the Output Method.

For me, I would focus on input first and then at some point you are going to need to change approach and start focusing on output too, to ensure you have a well balanced grip of the language.

I will go through both methods so you can get a better understanding of what they are all about and why you might learn towards one or the other.

How Input and Output Works In Communication

We must remember that language is a form of communication and for communication to work there needs to be an input and output.

You send a message by speaking to someone. This message is being set OUT. The person you are speaking to receives the message by taking it IN.

Once they take the message IN and process it and if they want to reply, they then send a message back OUT.

This back and forth is how communication works. The two language learning methods focus on both sides of this equation, but as you can see, you need both parts to have full communication in any language.

So really, it doesn’t matter what approach you decide to go for first, you will ultimately need to change direction at some point and start focusing more on the other. This is the only way you are going to end up balanced in the language.

The Input Language Learning Method

This method is all about trying to absorb as much of the language as possible so you can start to understand what is going on.

What Is The Input Language Learning Method?

There is an old saying that “Language does not come out, unless it has been put in.” which to be honest, makes a lot of sense. You do need to know how to do something before you can do it. You can’t just start speaking a language without firstly taking some of it in.   

The input method focuses very heavily on this idea and involves a lot of reading and listening and you will often here it called “immersion”.

The idea is that you just absorb everything and anything you can. You read and listen to as much as possible and then you let your brain get used to the new language.

Since you are being exposed to so much of the language your subconscious will be able to start to see patterns and pick up on different things that are regularly occurring in the language.

After a while you will be able to understand a lot of what is being said and it is then at this point that you can start trying to speak.

You are basically filling yourself up with the language so that at some point you will get so full it will start to overflow and come out in the form of speech and writing.

(You can read more about – How To Immerse Yourself In A New Language)

Pros Of the Input Language Learning Method

Obviously you will get very good at reading and listening, which should mean you can start to understand a lot of the language pretty quickly.

The input method allows you to learn more vocabulary and allows you to hear and see these words in context which can be very helpful with learning grammar.

You can also really start to fine tune your ears so that you can hear the sounds properly and can become really good at listening to native speakers even when they are speaking quickly.  

This method is quite relaxed. You can go at your own pace and can pretty much do this all on your own. It can sometimes be considered quite passive as you are basically just exposing yourself to a lot of language with the hope that you are taking it in subconsciously.

I think this method works best when you pair it with a little bit of active study. You should be looking up words you do not know, but if you forget them again, it’s okay. The idea is you will end up reading or hearing the words so many times that they will begin to stick in your brain.

This method is usually referred to “acquiring” the language, rather than learning it, since a lot of is it done subconsciously.

Cons Of the Input Language Learning Method

This method is generally slower. It can take a long time for you to pick up a language this way and you may feel like you have learned nothing for a very long time.

This obviously depends on how long you spend with the language and if you do any active study on top, but there will be a significant period where you feel quite lost at the beginning and will be constantly looking up words and forgetting them just as quickly.

You will also start speaking a lot later in your language journey as the focus is just to try and understanding the language.

There is also the possibility that when you do start speaking you are more likely to suffer from fear as it has been something you have not done before. You are also likely to suffer from poor pronunciation. Although your ears can hear the sounds well, your mouth is not used to producing them yet.

These are all things you can overcome, but you should still be aware of this.   

The Output Language Learning Method

At the opposite end of the scale is the Output method, which is all about trying to use the language yourself as soon as possible.

What Is The Output Language Learning Method?

The output method is the complete opposite of the input method. This is where you focus heavily on trying to speak and writing, right from the start.

Obviously there is some input, but it’s very minimal. The main goal is to learn a few words or phrases every day and then just jump straight in and start using them. You will try and talk to natives pretty much from the start.

The main focus is to make yourself use what you’ve learned and force your brain to remember it by repeating it over and over.

This method is very active when compared to the input method and you are likely to make a lot of mistakes as you try and to start talking and writing. The idea is that you will quickly learn from these mistakes and by repeating your words will be forced to become better at using them.  

(You can read more about – Is Speaking The Best Way To Learn A Language?)

Pros Of The Output Language Learning Method

You will see quicker results with this method, since you are going to be actually communicating with people very early on.

As you are actively trying to use the language you will get the instant feedback that shows if you are making progress or not and the repeated use will also make what you have learned start to really get engrained in your memory.

You will also be able to very quickly identify what you do and do not know. If you are trying to talk and can’t remember something or do not know something, it is going to be instantly noticeable and you can then address these weaknesses right away. This can make it very easy to monitor your progress and get a feel for how well you are doing.

You also have the benefit of developing good pronunciation right from the start, since you are going to be focusing on this.  

Cons Of The Output Language Learning Method

This method is pretty stressful and can be quite daunting. You are throwing yourself in at the deep end with this method. This can be good for some people, but for others, it will be too much and with the added fact that you will make a lot of mistakes, it can lead to people easily giving up as it just seems too hard.

You are also going to have a much more limited knowledge of vocabulary and general topics with this method, so you may find you understand less than you want.

The reality is that you will only be able to talk about things you have understood and if the person you are talking to strays away from this, you are going to be very lost.   

This can be quite frustration when you are trying to have conversations and cannot express yourself fully, or you cannot understand what is being said to you. You will find a lot of conversations are not enjoyable because of this.  

Which Method Should You Use?

Let’s be clear, both methods work. You will find countless people who have done one or the other and reached fluency.  

No one method is better than the other. There is a chance that one method may suit you better, or works better with your learning style and personality, but in general, both methods are effective.

Focus on Input First

Personally I believe that focusing on input is the best idea. The idea of talking to people early on is cool, but the reality is you can only say what you know. It just a very limited experience and it will end in frustration.

Language learning is a long term project and I think taking the time to understand what is happening first is the best way to go about things. Most of my language goals have been around wanting to understand the language, so I can watch movies or whatever, so the input method has suited my needs more.

If you were about to go on holiday and wanted to learn survival phrases, then of course the output method is probably going to get you to the place you want to be.

However, for anyone who wants to really reach a high level, and understands it a long term project, then I think taking the time to slowly absorb everything though immersion is the best approach. You can get round to talking and writing once you understand enough of the language. You will find this process a lot easier too, since you will have such a good base knowledge of the language.

(You can read more about – Where Should You Start When Learning A New Language?)

Focus On Both Input and Output When Learning A Language?

When you think about it, you can’t really separate language and its four main skill areas (listening, speaking, reading and writing). They are all interlinked and if you focus on one, it will still help with the other areas.

So why not focus on all the areas at once and become well rounded?

You could easily make a learning program where you focus on both input and output eqally.

I would suggest you try and make this an equal balance, but there is nothing stopping you from making the balance swing one way or the other depending on what you prefer.

You could try and spend half your session on one method and the second half on the other. You could also swap each session, so today work on input and tomorrow output, then repeat this. It doesn’t really matter, but I do believe you will benefit more from focusing on both methods.

Maybe focusing on both will be a slower process or maybe it’s too overwhelming? Potentially, but honestly it’s hard to know. Unfortunately it’s very difficult to measure these types of thing as everyone is different as no two people’s language learning journey is the same.

It also doesn’t really matter as language learning is not a race and if you want to try this, then you can certainly try and see how it works for you.

Conclusion

As you can see you need both input and output to learn a language. You should try and focus on both of these to get a good well rounded balance in your learning and your skills, but so long as you focus on something this will be a massive help to your learning.

If you want to try one and then try the other, that’s fine or maybe copy me and do input first before you start with output.  

You just need to remember that language learning is difficult and slow. There is no right or wrong way to learn a language.

You just need to find a way you enjoy and stick at it, the language will come eventually, you will see results so long as you put the time in.

(You can read more about – What Are The Different Ways To Learn A Language (and What Is The Best Way))