8 Methods Can Be Used In Teaching language

8 Methods Can Be Used In Teaching Language

What methods we can use in teaching English in primary school?

What methods are suitable for your pupils?

Have you think about it? It is a basic knowledge for all teachers. Teacher needs select suitable methods during planning a lesson plan. 

 

 

 1. Grammar Translation Method

 Key Feature

- Taught in the mother tongue, with little active use of the target language 

- Much vocabulary is taught in the form of lists of isolated words

- Little or no attention is given to pronunciation

Strengths 

- Easiest and shortest way of explaining meaning of words and phrases 

- Have no difficulties to understand the lesson

- Labor-saving method 

Weaknesses

-  Passive participation 

-  Very little attention is paid to communication using the learned language 

-  Translation is sometimes misleading

- “Teaching about the language” , not “teaching the language”

Activities 

- Explicit error correction

- Memorising lists of words

2. Audio-Lingual Method

Key Feature

- Correct responses are positively reinforced immediately

- Set phrases are memorised with a focus on intonation

- Grammatical explanations are kept to a minimum

- Focus on pronunciation

- Vocabulary is taught in context

 

Strengths

- Develops the separation of the language skill

- Emphasizes sentence production, control over grammatical structures and development of oral ability

Weaknesses

- Teacher’s domination of the class

-  Does not put equal emphasis on the four basic skills, such as listening, speaking, reading and writing

 

Activities

- Repetition 

- Replacement 

- Inflection

- Restatement 

- Integration 

- Backward Build-up (Expansion Drill) 

- Chain Drill

- Transformation Drill  

3. Direct Method / Natural Method

Key Feature

- Grammar is taught inductively

- Focus on speaking and listening  

- Only everyday vocabulary and sentences are taught 

- Correct pronunciation and grammar were emphasized

- New teaching points are introduced orally

Strengths

- Immerse the students in the target language 

- Create interesting and lively environment in learning of language by using visual aids, realia and so on

- Properly develop fluency of speech, good pronunciation and power of expression

 

Weaknesses

- Only useful ‘everyday’ language is taught 
- Less paying attention to writing, reading, and comprehension
- Many abstract words which cannot be interpreted directly in English

Activities

- Read aloud 
- Question and answer exercises
- Get students to self-correct 
- Dictation

4. Silent Way

Key Feature

- Do much of their learning by observing their classmates and the teacher’s reactions 
- Develop autonomy, independence and responsibility 
- Use their inner criteria to recognize and correct errors

Strengths

- Foster creativity, discovery, increase in intelligent potency and long term memory 
- Pupils are active participate in learning

Weaknesses

- Harsh method 
- May put the learning itself at stake 
- Vocabulary is only introduced when needed 

Materials for activities

- Cuisenaire rods 
- A set of wall pictures
 

5. Total Physical Response 

Key Feature

·         - Memory is enhanced through association with physical movement

·         - Based on listening and thus linked to physical actions

Strengths

      - Easy to learn

·         - Reinforce comprehension of particular basic items

·         - Motivating and fun

Weaknesses

      - Unable to extend beyond beginner level

·         - Challenging for shy students
-     - Teacher-centred

     Activities 
      - Teaching action songs 
      - "Simon says........" 
           - Role play
           

6. Suggestopedia

Key Feature

·         - Learning is facilitated in a comfortable environment

·         - Encourage ‘peripheral’ learning

·         - Use of extended dialogue, students will have ‘concert reading’.

·         - Errors are tolerated

Strengths

·         - Students will not be feeling bored

·         - Get students to sit back and relax

·         - Students can lower their affective filter

·         - Increase oral proficiency

·         - Lower classroom anxiety

Weaknesses

·         - Might lose concentration

·         - Require a class which all the students share the same first language

·         - Face the availability of comfortable chairs

·         - Doesn’t address speaking and writing

Activities

·         - Role-play

·         - New identity

·         - First & Second concerts

7. Communicative Language Teaching

Key Feature

·         - Focus on communication rather than structure

·         - Focus on the whole learner

·         - Teacher is a guide, counselor, organizer, facilitator

·         - Use of authentic, from life material

Strengths

·         - The interaction between students and teachers

·         - Impart the basic knowledge and ability to skillfully combine the development.

·         - Greatly enhanced the student's interest.

Weaknesses

·         - Focus on learner-centered approach can lead to learner confusion and resentment

·         - Needs supportive vocabulary for functional language use but it gives little guidance about how to handle vocabulary

Activities

·         - Alphabet dialogue

·         - From letter to grammar

8. Community Language Learning

Key Feature

·         - A way to deal with the fears of students

·         - Teachers act as language counselors

Strengths

·         - Works well with lower levels students

·         - Can improve the students’ English proficiency

·         - Lower students’ anxiety and overcome threatening affective filter

·         - It creates a warm , sympathetic and trusting relationship between teacher and learners

Weaknesses
- Some learners find it difficult to speak
- Teacher might neglect the need for guidance
- Time consuming

Stages for activities

- Stage 1 :Reflection
- Stage 2 :Record conversation
- Stage 3 :Discussion 
- Stage 4 :Transcription
- Stage 5 :Language analysis