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STRATEGIES
STRATEGIES
We will view an ‘approach’ as 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
learned. It contains a set of theoretical principles about teaching with practical applications.
An approach gives rise to ‘methods', the way of teaching language items, e.g., via classroom
activities or techniques.
Example
The Communicative Approach is the most popular and most current approach to language
teaching. Task-based teaching is a methodology associated with teaching the Communicative
Approach. Other methods are also associated with teaching the Communicative Approach.
However, to confuse matters, some methods have also been labelled ‘approaches’.
In this method, language learning is all about habit formation, mainly by repetitive drilling.
Error correction is considered essential to prevent bad habits.
The Audiolingual Method is largely discredited in academic circles, though in some places it is
still practiced.
The word lexis is used to signify both the teaching of vocabulary and areas of grammar
together. Vocabulary is typically seen as individual words, whereas lexis is a somewhat
broader concept and consists of words, phrases, collocations, chunks, and formulaic
grammatical expressions.
These words, chunks, and patterns are now often called lexical items.
4. Task-based method
In Task-Based Learning, the learning is designed around a series of authentic tasks which
give learners experience of using the language in ways in which it is used in the 'real world'
outside the classroom. In this method, there is no pre-determined language syllabus, and the
aim is for learners to learn from the tasks the language they need to participate successfully
in them.
A task could be working out the itinerary of a journey from a timetable or requesting
information from a travel agent.
This method involves the use of a variety of language learning activities, a mix of all the
different activities above and other teaching methods. Proponents (supporters) of this method
say that there are weaknesses as well as strengths in other methods. Thus, it's best to use a
mix of methods to ensure the learning does not become mechanical and, therefore, the
learners will benefit from several methods.