TFL 613: TEFL Trends and Approaches

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary motive of teachers in traditional teaching?

To prepare students for exams rather than for understanding concepts.

Name one method categorized under designer methods.

Total Physical Response (TPR).

How does the affective-humanistic approach impact the classroom environment?

It emphasizes respect, self-respect, and personal involvement in communication.

What role do interpersonal relationships play in learning according to modern approaches?

They are critical as they account for the social and affective aspects of learning. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common criticism of traditional language teaching methods?

They lack proper alignment between objectives, activities, and assessments. Signup and view all the answers

What type of classroom activities are commonly used in traditional language teaching?

Teacher-centered lectures and rote memorization activities. Signup and view all the answers

In traditional teaching, what is the typical relationship between teachers and students?

Teachers act as authoritative figures while students are passive receivers of information. Signup and view all the answers

What are the typical materials considered essential in traditional language teaching?

Textbooks and pre-structured learning resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of language learning in traditional methods?

To master grammar and vocabulary for the purpose of passing exams. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of classroom atmosphere in affective-humanistic teaching?

It is considered more important than specific materials or methods used. Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the major trends in TEFL during the 20th century?

Major trends included Grammar-Translation, Direct Method, Audio-lingual Method, and Communicative Language Teaching. Signup and view all the answers

How does the term ‘method’ apply to language teaching?

A method represents an application of an approach in language teaching, including decisions about skills, roles, procedures, and content. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between 'approach', 'method', 'methodology', and 'techniques'?

An approach is theoretical, methodology consists of practical strategies to teach, a method is the implementation of an approach, and techniques are specific classroom tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key components included in a language teaching method?

Key components include the skills to be taught, the roles of teachers and learners, procedures, content, and the order of content presentation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a teacher in traditional teaching methods?

In traditional methods, the teacher acts as the main source of knowledge and is primarily responsible for delivering content to students. Signup and view all the answers

What does ‘methodology’ refer to in the context of language teaching?

Methodology refers to a system of practices and procedures based on beliefs about language and how it is learned. Signup and view all the answers

Can you name some specific traditional teaching techniques?

Chalk and talk methods and regimented classroom activities are examples of traditional teaching techniques. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a syllabus in a teaching method?

A syllabus organizes content and objectives in a sequenced manner for instruction using the chosen methods. Signup and view all the answers

What challenges are associated with traditional teaching methods?

Typical problems include a lack of collaboration among students and limited opportunities for active learning. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does a communicative approach differ from traditional methods?

Communicative approaches focus on interaction and practical language use, contrasting with the content delivery characteristic of traditional methods. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

TEFL Trends & Approaches

The course is titled "TFL 613: Trending Approaches in TEFL: CLIL and PBL"
The course instructor is Ph.D. Kymbat SMÁKOVA
The study notes cover past trends in TEFL in the 20th century and other related topics
Past TEFL Trends (20th century):
- Grammar-Translation
- Direct Method
- Audio-lingual Method
- Community Language Learning
- The Silent Way
- Suggestopedia
- Total Physical Response
- Natural Approach
- Communicative Language Teaching

Defining Language Teaching Concepts

Method: An application of an approach in language teaching. A theory is put into practice, including decisions about the particular skills taught (e.g., listening, speaking, reading, writing – LSRW), teacher and learner roles, procedures and techniques, content, and the order of its presentation.
Methodology: A system of practices and procedures used by a teacher. It's based on beliefs about language and how it's learned.
Approach: The theory or philosophy behind how a language should be taught. It provides a foundation for language and language learning.
Techniques: Specific classroom tasks and activities.
Syllabus: Organized content and learning objectives sequenced and taught using chosen methods.
Language Teaching Methodology:
- A cyclical process linking theories of language learning with instructional design features and observed teaching practices.
Method Components:
- A theory of language nature and language learning processes
- Method design (objectives, syllabus, learning/teaching activities, teacher/learner roles)
- Method procedure (classroom interaction techniques, strategies, resources/materials)

Method Features

Traditional Methods: Teacher-centric, chalk-and-talk, regimented classrooms, lack of collaboration, focused on preparing students for exams rather than understanding concepts.
Common Features of Contemporary Language Classes: Emphasize student feelings and respect, involve students personally, use interactive procedures like pair and small group work. The learning atmosphere is prioritized over resources or methods.

21st Century Trends in TEFL/TESOL

What are popular and commonly applied strategies, approaches, policies, values, principles, and techniques in foreign language learning and teaching that have significantly changed during the past 25 years?

Contemporary Language Class Features

How did new trends in TEFL/TESOL affect teacher-student relationships, roles, competencies, management, learning styles, the content, expectations of stakeholders, teaching materials, equipment, and assessment of learning and teaching?

Suitable Methods

Which methods have features that are still valuable/suitable today?

Decline in Search for Best Method

Why did the search for the best foreign language teaching method eventually end during the 1990s onwards?

Additional Information

Chomsky's Revolution in Linguistics: Linguistic and language teacher focus on "deep structure" of language; psychologists highlighted the affective and interpersonal nature of learning contexts for language development
Designer Methods: Highly innovative methods (total physical response and community language learning) emerged in the 1970s-80s.
Other relevant documents: includes references to "Dead Poets Society (1989)" and "Общество мертвых поэтов (1989)"
Specific Method Problems: Grammar-translation, direct method, audio-lingual method, community language learning, the silent way, suggestopedia, total physical response, natural approach, communicative language teaching (possible issues with each method identified).

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Description

Explore the foundational trends in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) throughout the 20th century. This quiz will cover various teaching methods including Grammar-Translation, Direct Method, and Communicative Language Teaching, among others, providing insights into their applications in language education.