Which approach views language as consisting of meaningful chunks for fluent speech?

The lexical approach is recognized for its emphasis on the idea that language is made up of "chunks" or units of meaning, such as collocations, phrases, and idiomatic expressions. This approach posits that fluency in a language is not just about understanding individual words or grammatical rules, but rather about knowing how to use these meaningful combinations naturally and effectively in conversation.

By focusing on these chunks, learners can acquire a more authentic and nuanced command of the language, enabling them to communicate more fluently and with greater ease. The approach supports the idea that vocabulary and the way words co-occur are essential for language learning and fluency. This aspect is particularly valuable in helping learners produce language more swiftly and accurately, as they rely on pre-formed phrases instead of constructing sentences from scratch each time.

In contrast, the other approaches mentioned do not prioritize the concept of language as consisting of meaningful chunks in the same way. The whole language approach focuses on integrating reading and writing with language learning, the universal grammar approach is concerned with the innate structures shared across languages, and the language experience approach emphasizes personal experiences and narratives in language learning. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why the lexical approach specifically addresses the importance of chunks in achieving fluent speech.