The science and art of can‐do learning

Teaching is both a science and an art. Research into the learning sciences provides empirical evidence on how people learn and how to design instruction so that students build knowledge and skills. The art of teaching involves building a trusting relationship and a safe and comfortable learning environment that optimizes risk-taking, motivation, and learner engagement with the content. The NCSSFL/ACTFL Can-Do Statements (NCSSFL and ACTFL, 2017) uniquely combine both the science and the art of teaching by providing empirical and effective learning strategies that improve and enhance language learning.A clear understanding of what, why, and how subject matter is taught is important for learners as well as instructors. Learning targets focus learners' cognitive efforts on and allocate working memory capacity to the specific learning tasks that are being addressed. As Alderman (2004, p. 105) noted, "Goal setting influences learning and motivation by providing a target and information about how well one is doing."