UNIT 15 APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE TEACHING

APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE TEACHING

To teach a language there are different approaches and methods that teacher should use in their classes taking into consideration their own view of how language takes place in a context. Furthermore, those approaches can be remarkably important in a lesson plan because it could influence on how students work out with the language by applying different meaningful activities or tasks that corresponds to the language approach chosen by the teacher.

Here are some examples of approaches commonly used by teachers. First, PPP (Presentation, Practice and Production) in which teachers emphasize the grammatical structures and functions of the language. What´s more, during these approach a process should be followed; teachers present the grammatical point, later he/she provides a guided practice without allowing them mistakes and then students use free conditions to produce the language. Second, Lexical Approach is based on vocabulary and it is learned by chunks or units. Third, Functional Approach which is based on language functions and learners´ communicative needs using PPP stages. Fourth, Communicative Approaches based only on communicative aspects of the language emphasizing on interaction rather than to learn about it. Fifth, Grammar- Translation focused on grammatical rules and translation of language isolated from L2 to L1 or vice versa.  Sixth, Total Physical Response in which students need to be exposed and show comprehension of the language through physical movements. Seventh, Content- Based Learning in which language is presented through interesting topics that get learners attention focused on grammar, lexis and functions or skills. Finally, Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) that is not commonly used in our context because it is based on learning a language with different school subjects such as math, science, history, etc.

In a language learning classroom teachers will have plenty of approaches to consider, but there is just one, more than one or a mix of approaches (Elicit approach) which will fit with their view. For example, there are some classes in which students have different learning styles so teachers make their classes interesting for everyone moving from one approach to another depending on what kind of activities the teacher wants her/his students to develop. In addition beginners will learn better with Total Physical Response because they will receive instruction and just by doing it they will internalize the language. On the other hand, Grammar Translation would be useful for adult learners; adults learn better by analyzing and applying grammatical structures. 

For more information click on these sources:

• Aguswuryanto.files.wordpress.com,. (2014). Retrieved 6 December 2014, from https://aguswuryanto.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/approaches-and-methods-in-language-teaching.pdf
• Es.scribd.com,. (2014). Content Based Learning (CBL). Retrieved 6 December 2014, from http://es.scribd.com/doc/21932757/Content-Based-Learning-CBL
• Melissamary0.tripod.com,. (2014). Content Based Learning. Retrieved 6 December 2014, from http://melissamary0.tripod.com/id9.html
• Britishcouncil.org,. (2014). Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) | British Council. Retrieved 6 December 2014, from http://www.britishcouncil.org/europe/our-work-in-europe/content-and-language-integrated-learning-clil
• YouTube,. (2014). APPROACHES and METHODS in LANGUAGE TEACHING. Retrieved 6 December 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL3KGtBfMak