LECTURE 7 – METHODS ANALYSIS AT THREE LEVELS -I

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 485.

CHAPTER TWO: The Paradigm of Foreign Language Teaching

Aims & objectives:

· Students should be able to ask appropriate questions to analyze the theoretical foundations of a foreign language teaching method.

· Students should be able to identify the paradigms of FLT methods and the ‘why' questions that underlie their implications for ELT classes.

Key terms:

Structural, functional, interactional views of language, process-oriented theories, condition-oriented theories of learning

Brief summary:

Approach:

Theories about the nature of language and language learning that serve as the source of practices and principles in language teaching. (Edward Anthony's conceptualization of approach, method and technique in language teaching)

The following questions reveal the background thoughts on the method:

* What is the theory of learning?

* What is the theory of teaching? (conception of the profession)

* What are the roles of teacher / learners?

* How are errors viewed and treated?

* What is the role of L1?

* What language skills are emphasized over others?

Theory of Language

Structural view: A system of structurally related elements for the coding of meaning.

· ELT content; Structural Syllabus

· The Audiolingual Method, the Silent Way, Total Physical Response (TPR)

Functional view: A vehicle for the expression of functional meaning

· ELT content; Notional Syllabus

· The Communicative Approach, the English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

Interactional view: A vehicle for the realization of interpersonal relations and for the

performance of social transactions between individuals; OR, a tool for the creation and

maintenance of social relations

· ELT content; Patterns of exchange and interaction, OR, to be left unspecified to be shaped

by the inclinations of learners as interactors.

Theory of Language Learning

Process- oriented theories: Psycholinguistic and cognitive processes involved in language

learning

· They emphasize learning processes such as habit formation, induction, inferencing,

hypothesis testing, generalization.

Condition- oriented theories: Conditions that need to be met to activate the learning process

· They emphasize the human and physical context in which language learning takes place.

· Examples: Counseling-Learning, the Silent way,

Monitor theory (Krashen, 1981):

· Key concepts: Acquisition vs. learning, comprehensible input, low-anxiety context,

· TPR Total Physical Response (Asher,1977)

Questions:

· What are the factors that determine the features of themethod of foreign language teaching?

· When analyzing a method of FLT, what questions do we ask at the ‘approach' level?

Conclusion:

Theories of language and theories of language learning determine the basis of a foreign language method. Knowing the theoretical foundations of a method explain the ‘why' questions about it.

Recommended reading:

Richards & Rodgers, Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching, , p.28

Supplementary materials:

(Handouts _+__ Visuals___ PPT presentations___ Videos____ )