1. 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:

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. Theoretical underpinnings
Leaner autonomy
Discovery learning
Inductive teaching and learning
constructivism

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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):

18. Thank you