LECTURE 5 – APPROACHES TO FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING: CONCEPTIONS

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 476.

Aims & objectives:

· To analyze three different conceptualizations of teaching found in TESOL.

· To consider the implications of different views of teaching for second language teacher education.

Key terms:

Research, philosophy, art, teacher roles, effective teaching, theory-based and value-based approach

Brief summary:

· Conceptions in Language Teaching

The field of TESOL is shaped in substantial ways by how the nature of language teaching is conceptualized. As with teaching in general, language teaching can be conceived in many different ways – for example, as a science, a technology, a craft, or an art. Different views of language teaching lead to different views as to what the essential skills of teaching are, and to different approaches to the preparation of teachers.

In an important paper on the relationship between theories of teaching and teaching skills, Zahorik (1986) classifies conceptions of teaching into three main categories: science-research conceptions, theory-philosophy conceptions, and art-craft conceptions. I will take this classification as my starting point, illustrating it with examples from the field of language teaching. I will then examine how each conception of teaching leads to differences in our understanding of what the essential skills of teaching are.

· Science-Research conceptions

· Theory-Philosophy conceptions

· Art-Craft conceptions

Questions:

· There are three main approaches (conceptions) to teaching as a profession, which represent different views about what teaching is. What are they?

· How is the job of the teacher described according to science-research conceptions, theory-philosophy conceptions, and art-craft conceptions?

Conclusion:

A language teacher may adopt different conceptions depending on the requirements of a course and needs and interests of his/her students. The conception determines which methods are favored.

Recommended reading:

Richards, Jack C. and Rodgers, Theodore S. 2001 (2^nd edition) Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp.19-25

Supplementary materials:

(Handouts _+__ Visuals___ PPT presentations___ Videos____ )