The International Conference of Creative Teaching, Assessment and Research in the English Language (ICCTAR 2019) Effect of Eclectic Approach in teaching grammar at tertiary level education With special reference to Unit of Allied Health Sciences, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka Ms Anithra Sivalingam Department of English Language Teaching University of Jaffna Jaffna Sri Lanka Mail ID: mailtoanithra@gmail.com

Eclectic Approach The eclectic approach to language teaching has become common and fashionable in modern language teaching. It is a method of language education that combines various approaches and methodologies to teach language depending on the aims of the lessons and abilities of the learners.

Background Grammar is learnt by students from primary to tertiary level for more than 10 years in Sri Lanka. but the fact can be seen now is that we rarely find undergraduate who can speak English well. The wide spread use of English in each and every field has increased the demand of learning communication in English. In case of tertiary level Grammar teaching, there are some EAP courses which have the purpose to make the learners effective in grammar. Though students have lack of deficiency in learning grammar.

Investigation area Location of the study: University of Jaffna ,Sri Lanka Subjects : 37 first year undergraduates from Allied Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine. Level :Tertiary level Duration :Three months/one semester Study area :Eclectic Approach+ Grammar

Objectives of this research Identifying the challenges faced by learners when learning grammar. Analyzing learner’s current proficiency level. How teachers apply the eclectic approach when teaching English grammar The level of awareness among teachers of the various methods they used when teaching English grammar How teachers and learners understand grammar.

Methods of teaching Grammar translation method Direct method Structural situational approach Audio-lingual method CLT- Communicative language teaching TBLT- Task based language teaching CBLT- Content based language teaching

Theoretical underpinnings Leaner autonomy Discovery learning Inductive teaching and learning constructivism

Research Methods and Design Qualitative methodology Research tools: Pre-test Post-test Informal interview Questionnaires

Cont… A pre-test – to recognize the proficiency level of students- 1-2 weeks. Then the researcher observed the involvement of the learners in the usual classroom activities for three weeks. informal interview was conducted and questionnaires were given to the participants in order to gather more information about their preferred teaching approaches where they would actively get engaged. 4-13 week- eclectic teaching approach was implemented. A post-test was conducted to assess the progress of the participants – final week

Nature of activities A technique of teaching grammar through eclectic way is a rich combination of multiple activities. The salient features of approach include Participatory Approach Communicative Approach Situational Approach

Principles of eclecticisms Ali (1981:7) lists the following principles of eclecticisms: Teachers are given a chance to choose different kinds of teaching techniques in each class period to reach the aims of the lesson. There is flexibility in choosing any aspect or method that teachers think suitable for teaching inside the classroom Learners can see different kinds of teaching techniques, using different kinds of teaching aids, that help to make lessons much more stimulating and ensures better understanding of the material on the other hand. Solving difficulties that may emerge from the presentation of the textbook materials Finally, it saves both time and effort in the presentation of language activities.

The role of teacher in eclecticism Rodgers (2001:251) refers to the eclectic approach as the personal approach and advises the teacher to: Engage all learners in the lesson Provide maximum opportunities for student participation Develop learner responsibility Be tolerant of learners’ mistakes Develop learners’ confidence

Cont… Teaching learning strategies Respond to learners’ difficulties and build on them Use a maximum amount of student to student activities Promote cooperation among learners Practice both accuracy and fluency Address learners’ needs and interests

Research findings Learning grammar becomes easier and more possible for the learners. Able to understand the language of the text in an authentic context. Teaching grammar by combination of various methods and approaches will help the teacher to teach English effectively. It blends listening, speaking, reading and writing. Helps teacher to teach effectively by drawing on the strength of various methods and avoiding their weaknesses Learning is easy due to the use of realistic situations in the classroom . Learning is fun and innovative due to the unique nature of leaning process.

Conclusion The findings revealed that eclectic learning approach has a positive effect on students’ academic achievement in English at tertiary level. Eclectic approach was found more rewarding, effective and productive in teaching English as compared to traditional learning approach at tertiary level as the teachers modify their teaching style according to the situation and need of students in eclectic learning approach.

Recommendation Teachers of university can adopt eclectic learning approach for teaching English as it is more effective, flexible and useful as compared to traditional learning approach. Proper teaching aids and other relevant technologies should be used effectively to make teaching learning process more effective, successful and rewarding. Eclecticism can be conducted at secondary level as well as in other academic subjects.

References Ali, A.M. (1981). Teaching English to Arab Students. Jordan: Al-Falah House. Brown, H.D. (2002). English Language Teaching in the ‘Post-Method’ Era: Toward better Diagnosis, Treatment, and Assessment. In J. Richards and W. Renandya (eds.), Methodology in Language Teaching: An Anthology of Current Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 9-18 Richards, J. C. and Rodgers, T. (1986). Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Rodgers, T. S. (2001). Language Teaching Methodology. ERIC Issue Paper, September, [online]. Li, W. (2012). An Eclectic Method of College English Teaching. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 3 (1): 166-171.

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