Main Contributions:
System 1: Fast, Intuitive Thinking
System 2: Slow, Analytical Thinking
Key Insight: We over-rely on System 1, which often leads to errors in judgment.
System 1 vs. System 2 in Language Learning
System 1 (Fast, intuitive thinking): Used when speaking a native language. (Sonia Mendes' group, Mark Venning's group)
System 2 (Slow, analytical thinking): Used when learning a foreign language. (Sonia Mendes' group, Mark Venning's group)
Goal: Transition learners from System 2 to System 1 to achieve fluency. (Sonia Mendes' group)
Language teaching in traditional schools (Spain, Portugal) relies heavily on System 2, emphasizing memorization and exam preparation rather than fluency. (Sonia Mendes' group)
Students struggle to use the language naturally because they lack exposure and repetition. (Sonia Mendes' group)
Repetition & Exposure are key to transitioning from System 2 to System 1. (Sonia Mendes' group)
The Oxinity Method is designed to push students into System 1 as early as possible. (Luis Arteaga's group)
Quick Questions (QQs) at the start of lessons serve as a direct entry into System 1, regardless of the student’s level. (Jonatan Buxeda i Núñez)
Students are taught how to answer short-answer questions without needing to understand every word. (Sam Hoyle's group)
They learn to identify key patterns, such as the first word in a question (often an auxiliary verb), and respond instinctively. (Jonatan Buxeda i Núñez)
This approach helps them focus on sound, intonation, and automatic recall, training their brain to respond without overanalyzing. (Jonatan Buxeda i Núñez)
Exams primarily assess System 2, testing knowledge but not fluency. (Luis Arteaga's group)
There’s a disconnect between what is tested and actual language mastery. (Mark Venning's group)
The current education model is outdated, rooted in industrial-age learning models. (Mark Venning's group)
Historically, human decision-making evolved through three phases:
• Emotion-based thinking (ancient times, religion). (Carles Comas)
• Rational thinking (scientific revolution, Enlightenment). (Carles Comas)
• Intuitive decision-making (modern era). (Carles Comas)
Language learning should incorporate all three but prioritize intuition (System 1) for effective communication. (Jonatan Buxeda i Núñez)
The ultimate goal of language teaching should be automatic, natural speech. (Luis Arteaga)
Teachers should guide students from analytical learning (System 2) to intuitive fluency (System 1). (Luis Arteaga, Jonatan Buxeda i Núñez)
Schools need to rethink assessment methods to measure fluency rather than just theoretical knowledge. (Luis Arteaga, Jonatan Buxeda i Núñez)
Oxinity starts every class with Quick Questions (QQs) to immediately place students in System 1, ensuring they respond automatically without hesitation, regardless of their level. (Jonatan Buxeda i Núñez)
This method reinforces natural response patterns, helping students train their ear, recognize question structures, and respond based on sound and intonation rather than conscious grammar analysis. (Sam Hoyle, Jonatan Buxeda i Núñez)
By emphasizing the recognition of auxiliary verbs and short answers, students learn to speak instinctively rather than think about rules. (Jonatan Buxeda i Núñez)
Future focus: Developing techniques to immerse students in System 1 faster, making language learning more natural and efficient.