TFL 613: TEFL Trends and Approaches

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).