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1、Teaching MethodsLanguage Teaching Methods In language study, as in life, if a person is the same today as he was yesterday, it would be an act of mercy to pronounce him dead, and to place him in a coffin rather than in a classroom. - John A. Rassias, Philosophy of Language Instruction, 1967What are
2、the Methods of Teaching?Many different language teaching methods have been used throughout history. So, what are the methods of teaching that could be considered as the best methods of teaching? - Unfortunately, there is no prescriptive answer. Each method had its supporters as well as its critics.
3、Some methods have been criticized, rejected and are not used anymore; others are widely used today in many countries; still others have a few followers but are not very popular. Obviously different methods and approaches work differently for different people and a universal optimum method will proba
4、bly never be invented. However, the following questions are being asked every day: Which is the best language teaching (or learning) method? How to learn (or teach) a foreign language effectively? What is the method of teaching I should use? Which is the Best Language Teaching Method?There is no evi
5、dence that a certain method is superior to other methods and is suitable for all language teachers and all learners in all situations. There is no best method of teaching a foreign language, and it is the job of the language teacher to decide which method (or a combination of methods!) can be best a
6、pplied during the different stages of the teaching process, and in view of that, design a course, prepare teaching materials, select textbooks, and write lesson plans to meet the objectives. Below we will briefly discuss the basic and the most widely spread language teaching methods and will reflect
7、 on their efficiency. Revision of the Basic Teaching MethodsContent Based Teaching MethodContent Based Language Teaching Method or Content Based Instruction (CBI) focuses on the subject matter. The centre of attention can be academic courses such as basic study skills, computers, geography, or cultu
8、ral knowledge. CBI is effective because students acquire language skills with an emphasis on meaningful content rather than on the language itself. CBI results not only in language acquisition but also in content learning (gaining knowledge), increased motivation, and greater opportunities for emplo
9、yment. Language teachers can create content-based lessons or units by using technology. Communicative Language Teaching MethodCommunicative language teaching (CLT) is an approach to the teaching of languages that emphasizes interaction and is based on the idea that the goal of learning L2 is to gain
10、 communicative competency. It focuses on the functional aspects of language and less on the formal grammatical structures. Task-based, problem-solving activities, exchange of personal information and open-ended questions are used as the most important means of communication. The focus is on the deve
11、lopment of skills related to the ability of expressing and understanding personal ideas, opinions, feelings and needs. Students work in small groups with selected authentic, real-life situation materials and case studies.The Audio-Lingual MethodThe Audio-Lingual Method (or the Aural-Oral Method) foc
12、uses on listening to language models and acting in everyday situations. Learners are given short dialogs to memorize from the tape and to present them as accurately as possible. Students practice patterns of language and drill them until response becomes automatic. This method if appropriately combi
13、ned with CLT and CBI methods can effectively improve language skills. Total Physical Response MethodTotal Physical Response (TPR) method is based on speech in action. It was developed by an American professor of psychology James Asher. The method is founded on the principle that listening comprehens
14、ion should be fully developed first, in a similar way when a child starts learning a language. Only when listening comprehension skills are fully developed, other skills should be developed. TPR method is suitable for mixed ability classrooms, for kinesthetic learners, and for students with learning
15、 disabilities. The Direct MethodThe Direct Method (or Natural Method) requires that all teaching is conducted in L2. Although it aims at developing all four skills, it focuses on listening and speaking. No translation is used. This method was introduced by the German professor of phonetics Wilhelm V
16、itor. The Grammar Translation MethodThe Grammar Translation Method was the principal method in Europe in the 19th century. It was based on teaching grammar structures and vocabulary with direct translations. Latin language (dead language) was successfully taught by using Grammar Translation Method. Little attention was paid to interpersonal communication or pronunciation. Today most experts admit that this method is ineffective.
