METHODS AND APPROACHES OF LANGUAGE TEACHING

From this historical perspective we are also able to see that the concerns that have
prompted modern method innovations were similar to those that have always been at the
center of discussions on how to teach foreign languages. Changes in language teaching
methods throughout history have reflected recognition of changes in the kind of
proficiency learners need, such as a move toward oral proficiency rather than reading
comprehension as the goal of language study; they have also reflected changes in theories
of the nature of language and of language learning. Kelly (1969) and Howatt (1984) have
demonstrated that many current issues in language teaching are not particularly new.
Today's controversies reflect contemporary responses to questions that have been asked
often throughout the history of language teaching.

It has been estimated that some 60 percent of today's world population is

multilingual. From both a contemporary and a historical perspective, bilingualism or
multilingualism is the norm rather than the exception. It is fair, then, to say that
throughout history foreign language learning has always been an important practical
concern. Whereas today English is the world's most widely studied foreign language, 500
years ago it was Latin, for it was the dominant language of education, commerce,
religion, and government in the Western world. In the sixteenth century, however,
French, Italian, and English gained in importance as a result of political changes in
Europe, and Latin gradually became displaced as a language of spoken and written
communication.

Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching

An approach is a way of looking at teaching and learning. Underlying any
language teaching approach is a theoretical view of what language is, and of how it
can be learnt. An approach gives rise to methods, the way of teaching something,
which use classroom activities or techniques to help learners learn.

Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching

• Grammar Translation Method

• Direct Method
• Oral Approach / Situational Language Teaching
• Audiolingual Method
• Communicative Language Teaching
• Total Physical Response
• Silent Way
• Communicative Language Learning
• The Natural Approach
 •  Suggestopedia
• The Communicative Approach

Grammar Translation Method

Grammar translation method was the most popular and widely used method for
language teaching between the ages of 1840 to 1940. 
This method was used for teaching and learning latin and it places a lot of emphasis on
learning vocabulary and grammar

Direct Method
The direct method was the outcome of the reaction against the grammar translation
method.
Some of the characteristic of the implementation of this method was:
1. Giving instructions exclusively in the target language.
2. Grammar was taught inductively
3. Teaching everyday vocabulary and sentences.

Oral Approach / Situational Language Teaching

The oral approach is a method in which children to use whatever hearing they get
from their surroundings. They also take help from the context to understand and use
language
Some of the characteristic of this approach are:
1. Language teaching begin with spoken language.
2. The target language is the language of the classroom.
3. Language points are introducing and practice based on situations

Audiolingual Method

This approach to language learning was similar to another, earlier method called
the direct method. 
Like the direct method, the audio-lingual method advised that students should be
taught a language directly, without using the students’ native language to explain new
words or grammar in the target language.
However, unlike the direct method, the audio-lingual method did not focus on
teaching vocabulary. Rather, the teacher drilled students in the use of grammar.

Communicative Language Teaching

Communicative language teaching was actually developed in the opposition of

audiolingual method which focuses on drilling and memorization.
Communicative language teaching focuses on developing the ability of communication in
learners in real life situations. It focuses on meaning rather than accuracy
Total Physical Response

Total physical response (TPR) is a language-teaching methods developed by

James Asher, a professor emeritus of psychology at San José State University
It is based on the coordination of language and physical movement. In TPR, instructors
give commands to students in the target language with body movements, and students
respond with whole-body actions.

Silent Way

The method emphasizes learner autonomy and active student participation. Silence
is used as a tool to achieve this goal; the teacher uses a mixture of silence and gestures to
focus students’ attention, to elicit responses from them, and to encourage them to correct
their own errors

Communicative Language Learning

The CLL emphasizes the sense of community in the learning group,

encourages interaction as a vehicle for learning, and considers as a priority the students’
feelings and the recognition of struggles in language acquisition.
There is no syllabus or textbook to follow, and it is the students themselves who
determine the content of the lesson by means of meaningful conversations in which they
discuss real messages.

The Natural Approach

This approach was influenced by Stephen Krashen’s theory of language

acquisition. The natural approach focuses on communication as the major function of
language. In this approach, language is considered as the vehicle or means of conveying a
message and information. The natural approach was actually based on the observation
and understanding of the acquisition of the first and the second language in informal
settings

Suggestopedia

Suggestopedia is a teaching method which is based on a modern understanding of

how the human brain works and how we learn most effectively.
Key Elements Some of the key elements of Suggestopedia include
 a rich sensory learning environment (pictures, colour, music, etc.)
 a positive expectation of success 
 The use of a varied range of methods: dramatic texts, music, active participation in
songs and games, etc.
The Communicative Approach

The communicative approach is based on the idea that learning language

successfully comes through having to communicate real meaning.
When learners are involved in real communication, their natural strategies for language
acquisition will be used, and this will allow them to learn to use the language.