The three things that nearly every expert on ELT seems to agree a learner needs are:

1. Exposure
2. Practice
3. Focus on form

So, we know that Ss need to read and listen to a lot of language.  We know that they need lots of time to practise using the language in communicative and realistic contexts, etc.  And we know they need to focus on form.

But what does focus on form actually mean?

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(brief) noticing                       substitution drills                             (deep) analysis

I mean, for example, you:

Provide Ss with reading practise, then after that having Ss underline all the '-ing' words in the text, then quickly  move on to speaking practise.  You've just focused the Ss on form.

Or, you:

Spend 15min clarifying the meaning, sentence structure, and pronunciation of 'Present Continuous' in relation to "planned arrangements", then have Ss do 15min of substitution drills and controlled practice, before giving them a speaking task that's likely to require use of Present Continuous.  You've just focused the Ss on form.

At which stage on the continuum do you place 'Focus on Form'?

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