Language Teaching Methods Overview

Language Teaching Methods

• Language methods are characterized by three dimensions: language focus, meaning learning, and grammar learning.
• Language focus contrasts methods that emphasize speech communication with those emphasizing literature, reading, and writing. Most methods prioritize speech communication, except grammar-translation.
• Meaning learning distinguishes between direct experience and translation. Direct experience exposes learners to real-world contexts, while translation uses the learner's native language to explain meanings.
• Grammar learning contrasts methods using induction (where students discover rules independently) with methods using explication (where rules are explained in the native language).

Traditional Methods

• Grammar-Translation (GT): An older method, using translation and grammar rules explained in the native language.
  • Historical roots: Translation use in ancient times and grammar studies in the 17th century.
  • Focus: Reading and writing, aiming for the ability to read literary works and documents in the target language.
  • Meaning learning: Translation explains vocabulary and structures.
  • Grammar learning: Explicit explanations of grammar rules in the native language.
  • Classroom activities: Reading passages, vocabulary lists, grammar explanations, and translation exercises.
  • Advantages: Effective for teachers not fluent in the target language or for large classes, conducive to self-study, and adaptable to linguistic and psychological theories.
  • Disadvantages: Ignores speaking and oral communication, not suitable for young children, and may not develop communicative competence.
  • Theorists: Kelly (1969), Titone (1968), and Darian (1972).

Natural Method (NM)

• Natural Method (NM): Emerged from the Enlightenment's focus on natural human development.
  • Philosophical Basis: Focus on natural human development.
  • Child Language Model: Uses a child's native language acquisition as a model, focusing on comprehension, then production, and later reading and writing.

Direct Method (DM)

• Direct Method (DM): Developed using scientific linguistic and psycholgy to improve NM.
  • Focus: Speech and meaning in environmental contexts.
  • Meaning Learning: Direct connection between second language and meaning, without using the native language..
  • Grammar Learning: Learning grammar through induction.
  • Classroom Activities: Oral communication, dialogues, questions, commands, and pre-selected graded materials.
  • Advantages: More structured than NM, and suitable for larger classes.
  • Disadvantages: Requires teachers highly fluent in the target language.
  • Theorists: Harold Palmer (1922).

Audiolingual Method (ALM)

• Audiolingual Method (ALM): Rooted in structural linguistics and behaviorist psychology.
  • Focus: Sentence patterns and repetition.
  • Meaning learning: Meaning is secondary to pattern drills.
  • Grammar learning: Learned through repetition of sentence patterns and substitution drills.
  • Classroom Activities: Planned situations, graded materials, pattern drills and dialogue memorization.
  • Advantages: Initially generated enthusiasm with scientific approach to language learning.
  • Disadvantages: Failed to produce fluent speakers and relied too heavily on mechanical repetition instead of meaningful communication.
  • Theorists: Charles Fries.

Content-Based Instruction (CBI)

• Content-Based Instruction (CBI): Organizes language teaching around subject matter students need to master.
  • Focus: Subject matter
  • Meaning learning: Students learn language through using it to engage with subject matter.
  • Grammar learning: Often explained by the teacher, part of other skills.
  • Integration of skills: Recognizes interwoven nature of skills.

Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT)

• Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT): Emphasizes specially designed tasks as the basis for language learning.
  • Focus: Tasks and interaction.
  • Approach: Learn through engaging in tasks using target language.
  • Grammar Learning: Communicating and engaging in tasks.

Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL)

• Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL): Uses computer programs to individualize learning at the learner's pace.
  • Focus: Individualized and computer-aided learning.
  • Approach: Personalized learning programs that use computers to improve language instruction.

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)

• Communicative Language Teaching (CLT): Emphasizes communication, with flexibility to use various techniques.
  • Focus: Communication
  • Meaning Learning: Meaning is gained through real-life situations and dialogues.
  • Grammar Learning: Grammar is used for communication, including translation, if needed.
  • Classroom Activities: Dialogues, based on real-life situations, integrating methods.
  • Advantages: Eclectic approach, adaptable.
  • Disadvantages: Lack of consistent principles.
  • Theorists: Wilkens, Johnson, Alexander, Widdowson, and Yalden.

Natural Approach (NA)

• Natural Approach (NA): Focuses on listening comprehension, delayed speech production, and using language input to learn language.
  • Focus: Natural human language acquisition.
• Learning Sequence: Comprehension then production then reading and writing.

Total Physical Response (TPR)

• Total Physical Response (TPR): Emphasizes physical actions to enhance memory.
• Focus: Action, physical response.
• Grammar learning: Students induce rules through actions.
• Meaning Learning: Meaning acquired from physical actions.
• Advantages: Useful for young learners.
• Disadvantages: Less useful for advanced learners, difficult to review material outside classroom.

Other Methods (Offbeat)

• Cognitive Code
• Community Language Learning
• Silent Way
• Suggestopedia

Goals and Method Selection

• There is no single "magic" method.
• Method choice depends on goals.
• National goals influence method selection.
• Teacher choice determines aspects.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Audiolingual Method (ALM), Affective Filter, Behaviorism, Cognitive Code, Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), Content-Based Instruction (CBI), Direct Method (DM), Explication, Induction, Mentalism, Monitor Hypothesis, Natural Approach (NA), Natural Method (NM), Structural Linguistics, Suggestopedia, Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT), Total Physical Response (TPR).

Short Answer Questions

• Three dimensions used for second language teaching: language focus, meaning learning, and grammar learning.
• Grammar-Translation method's approach: explains grammatical rules using the native language and utilizes translation to explain vocabulary and structures.
• Meaning Learning and Natural Method: Meaning is learned through direct experience in contextual situations.
• Direct Method Improvements: Includes systematic procedures and emphasizes speech and meaning in context rather than spontaneous experiences.
• Theoretical Foundations of ALM: Structural Linguistics and Behaviorist Psychology.