Trending Approaches in TEFL: CLIL and PBL

Trending Approaches in TEFL: CLIL and PBL (2)

• Post-Method Era: A concept developed by Kumaravadivelu (1994), characterized by efforts to reconstruct the relationship between language education theories and practices.
• The post-method era moves from knowledge-oriented theories to classroom-oriented theories of pedagogical practice.
• Denial of Best Method: The post-method era rejects the idea that there's one single, universally best method for language teaching. It recognizes the limitations of applying any method perfectly in all circumstances.
• Focus Shift: Teacher Role: The spotlight shifts from the method to the teacher, emphasizing the teacher's role in adapting teaching strategies to individual contexts and learners.

What is Intelligence?

• The ability to acquire and apply knowledge & skills.
• The ability to understand, learn well, and form reasoned judgments and opinions.
• The ability to think, reason, and understand instead of acting instinctively.

Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences (2013)

• Defines intelligence as the capacity to create solutions to life's problems.
• The ability to acquire and use knowledge to understand various topics.
• Skills that are helpful to the community (both products and services).
• The theory emphasizes the use of multiple ways to present learning materials regardless of topic (e.g., arts, sciences, history, or math). This 'pluralization' helps students learn effectively and demonstrate understanding.

Types of Intelligences

• Verbal-linguistic (well-developed verbal skills and sensitivity to the sounds, meanings, and rhythms of words)
• Logical-mathematical (ability to think conceptually and abstractly, and capacity to discern logical and numerical patterns)
• Spatial-visual (capacity to think in images and pictures, to visualize accurately and abstractly)
• Bodily-kinesthetic (ability to control one's body movements and to handle objects skillfully)
• Musical (ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch, and timbre)
• Interpersonal (capacity to detect and respond appropriately to the moods, motivations, and desires of others)
• Intrapersonal (capacity to be self-aware and in tune with inner feelings, values, beliefs, and thinking processes)
• Naturalist (ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals, and other natural objects)
• Existential (sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence)

All Humans Have All Intelligences

• All humans possess all nine intelligences, potentially more that haven't yet been researched.
• Intelligences are present in varying degrees among individuals.
• Each person's unique combination of intelligences shapes their learning approach.
• Intelligences can be strengthened, weakened, ignored, or developed through practical application.
• Matching learning tasks to individuals' strongest intelligences fosters effective learning experiences.

Purpose of Multiple Intelligences Theory

• Develop curricula.
• Plan instruction.
• Select course activities.
• Design related assessment strategies.

Principled-Eclectic Approach

• A reaction to the profusion of language teaching methods and their dogmatic application.
• Incorporates principles from different teaching methods, not relying on a single method.
• Focuses on problem-solving and adapting teaching to specific learner needs.
• Identifies existing language challenges for learners.
• Makes use of suitable methods and approaches to address these needs.
• Eclecticism requires philosophical grounding and a systematic approach to combined learning methods.

Theory of Language and Language Learning

• Theory of Language: Language is based on structures used for meaning and function conveyance
• Theory of Language Learning: Combines structural and communicative activities, highlighting language acquisition through practical communication and conversation.

Advantages of the Eclectic Approach

• Provides a variety of perspectives from various methods and approaches, increasing the likelihood of successful learning.
• Offers a more diverse set of learning opportunities for students with differing styles.
• Supports teachers to adapt techniques and exploit available materials effectively.

Disadvantages of the Eclectic Approach

• Lacks clear guidelines on how and why to combine different teaching aspects.
• Tendency of combining contradicting elements without clear organizing principles for instruction, causing lack of clarity.

Modern Trends in Language Teaching

• Cognitive - Constructivist Approaches.
• Student-centered Approaches.
• Cooperative Learning.
• Authenticity in Language Learning.
• Participatory Approaches.
• Competence-based Language Teaching.
• Reflective Teaching.

Global Citizenship Training Through ELT

• Focus on 21st Century Skills.
• Includes critical thinking, self-regulation, communication, collaboration, and ICT.
• Incorporates Internet-based, mobile learning.

English as a Global Language (vs EFL) 

• Content-based instruction.
• Content and language integrated learning (CLIL).
• Task-based instruction.
• Project-Based (Language) Learning
• Intercultural Communication.