1. Modern methods in Language Teaching
BRET
Modern methods in Language Teaching

2. Approaches used Communicative Approach Lexical Approach
Task Based Approach
Blended learning Approach

3. Methods used PPP (Presentation, Practice, Production)
Total Physical Response
Guided Discovery
Test – Teach – Test

4. Communicative Approach
Meaningful and authentic language use (often information gap)
Learners interact with each other (pair and group work, mingles)
Emphasis on completing task
Teacher provides feedback

5. Communicative Approach: example
Talk to different people and find out:
Name, Job, one interest
There’s an info gap here. You talked to different people.

6. Lexical Approach
Language isn’t divided into grammar and vocabulary. It consists of ‘chunks’.
More attention to: lexis, listening and reading, L1/L2 comparisons
Less attention to: sentence grammar, talking in L2 for sake of it

7. Lexical Approach: example
Read the text:
I get up at 7am. I wash my face and
then get dressed. After that I have
breakfast and read the newspaper.
Find word partnerships in the text.

8. Task Based Approach Focuses on students doing a task – fluency based
Students use language for a particular outcome
Real life language, meaning is important
Students generate language
Get feedback (for accuracy)

9. Task Based Approach: example
(see Cutting Edge Int p12-13)
Lead-in: listening or reading which uses possible language students could use in the task
Students are given task. Teacher supports.
Students do task
Students report back to class
Language feedback

10. Blended Learning Approach
Two facets to learning programme: 1. Face-to-face with teacher
2. Computer-based programme
The two facets support each other

11. PPP
Presentation: language is presented in some way in context (situation, dialogue, reading..) and teacher shows form and meaning
Practice: students produce the language through controlled exercises
Production: freer practice of the language presented.
Useful for introducing language at lower levels or for language you think will be new

12. PPP: example

13. PPP: example (continued)
Andy didn’t take any of these things with him
What do you think of Andy?
Elicit ideas
“He should have taken a map”.
Elicit more examples
Controlled practice – gap fill
Freer practice – Andy talking with rescue team

14. Total Physical Response
Students are exposed to language before they are expected to produce it.
Students learn language through listening and responding
Limited - useful for ‘action’ verbs

15. TPR: example
Teacher asks students to put objects in different places to teach/reinforce Prepositions of Place

16. Guided Discovery
Students are exposed to language through a reading or listening text
Students answer questions about the text which lead them to ‘discover’ the rules of the language
Good for higher levels

17. Guided Dicovery: example
(see Cutting Edge Int p18)
Lead-in: to get students interested
Students listen to song and fill in gaps
Students answer the questions about the grammar
Follow up practice

18. Test – Teach - Test
Test: Students are given an exercise/activity in which they could produce the TL structure
Teacher monitors and listens
Teach: Teacher ‘teaches’ as necessary
Test: Students are given another exercise/activity

19. Test – Teach – Test: example

20. An Eclectic Approach
Most teachers use a combination of approaches and methods
Why? To create variety and interest in the learning programme and to tailor the programme for the students.
How to decide? Level, students’ interests, lesson aim, learning styles