1966年在东北会议上,乔姆斯基对不加批评地直接把语言理论应用于教学实践的有效性提出了怀疑。他的观点使许多与会者大为震惊。他说:“坦率地说,我对哪些在语言学和心理学中所获得的见解和认识、对语言教学的重要性深抱怀疑。”他还说,“心理学和语言学的原理以及对这些学科的研究,有可能、甚至很可能补充语言教师需要的洞察力, At the Northeast Conference in 1966, Chomsky questioned the validity of the application of linguistic theory to teaching practice without criticism. His point of view shocked many participants. He said: “To be frank, I’m deeply skeptical about what insights and understanding I get in linguistics and psychology, and the importance of language teaching.” He added that "the principles of psychology and linguistics, The research of these disciplines, it is possible, and may even supplement the language teachers need insight,