"A ... way in which earlier learning renders later performance more
efficient is through what is called non-specific transfer, or, more
accurately, the transfer of principles and attitudes. In essence, it
consists of learning initially not a skill but a general idea, which can
then be used as the basis for recognizing subsequent problems as special
cases of the idea originally mastered. This type of transfer is at the
heart of educational process -- the continual broadening and deepening of
knowledge in terms of basic and general ideas." Bruner,1969. The Process of
Education. Harvard Univ Press. p. 17a "

"An introduction to language can take a number of forms; however, as we
have conceived of it, it should aim to present insights into certain
fundamental propositions regarding the nature of language. The purpose of
such an introduction would be to establish generalizations that would in
turn have the general aim of enabling children to reinterpret and organize
their own experiences of language, as well as the narrower aim of laying
the foundation for further language studies in English and the humanities."
Forsyth & Pearce, 1974. Language: Classroom and examinations. Longman. p. 8

"In attempting to devise an appropriate form for the introduction of
language studies a basic distinction was made between establishing the
nature of language as a universal of human behavior and a study of the
various uses of a given language. Although in studying uses of English we
are enlarging language, we need to avoid the assumption that a study in
depth of the uses of a particular language will lead to an understanding of
language itself." Forsyth & Pearce, 1974. Language: Classroom and
examinations. Longman. p. 9

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