APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE TEACHING "Medhat"

Definitions An approach: describes the nature of the subject matter to be taught. It is the WHY. A method: an overall plan for the presentation of language material. It is the HOW A procedure: an ordered sequence of techniques The syllabus: the contents of a teaching programme. It is concerned with WHAT is to be learned. A technique: is implementational. “ What actually takes place in a classroom.”

There are at least three different theoretical views of language Theories of Language There are at least three different theoretical views of language The structural view: “language is a system of structurally related elements for the coding of meaning” The functional view: “Language is a vehicle for the expression of functional meaning” The interactional view: “Language is a vehicle for the realization of interpersonal relations and for the performance of social transactions between individuals”

Theories of Language Learning Grammar Translation Method: Grammar rules are presented deductively and vocabulary is learnt from bilingual word lists. The Direct Method: The learner should be actively involved in using the language in realistic everyday situations. The Audio-lingual Method: The learners repeat patterns until they are able to produce them spontaneously. Total Physical Response: Grammatical structures and vocabulary are emphasized and understanding precedes production.

Theories of Language Learning The Eclectic Approach ( Eclecticism ): It allows language teachers to absorb best techniques of all the well-known language teaching methods into their classroom procedures. Communicative Language Teaching: The communicative approach emphasizes the learner’s ability to use the language appropriately in specific situations. It tries to make the learner communicatively competent.

Communicative Language Principles: Language is used to express one’s needs. Relaxing atmosphere. Group work is encouraged. Teachers assist learners to motivate them. Integration of skills. Errors are considered inevitable in the process of learning.

Communicative Activities Features Information gap: An information gap exists when one learner in an exchange knows something that the other doesn't Choice: In communication, the speaker has a choice of what to say and how to say it Authentic material: Another characteristic of the communicative approach is the use of authentic material