APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE TEACHING

 Approach for Language Teaching

 View of Language

  View of Language learning

 Classroom Practice

 Structured Approach

Language is considered a system of structures with the purpose of communicating meaning

- The controlled practice is the most important key to learn a language. It is better to start from simpler structures and then complicate structures.

- Mistakes are not allowed.

- Written skill is learned before developing speaking skills.

- Structures are necessary to be controlled. 

 Task-based Learning (TBL)

The use of functions, vocabulary, structures, and discourse, is important in language to communicate meaning.

 Using language is the best way to learn it.

- Activities that involve problem-solving. Communication is the way of learning and solving problems.

- If the task is completely done, it is not necessary to focus on grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary.

 Presentation, Practice, and Production (PPP)

There are two important facts of language: grammar structures and functions

 Leaning a language is a process:

- Firstly, see how the new language works in a context that involves meaning and practice.

- Then, the tasks should be controlled and guided.

- Finally, language tasks are free, it gives learners less language support.

- Lessons start from the presentation stage to the practice stage.

- Inputs (guide and examples) are clearly provided.

- Presentation: Situational presentations and miming

- Practice stage: Controlled drills

- Production stage: Information-gap and role-plays

 Lexical Approach

 It is focused on vocabulary as the main feature of the language. It involves single words or chunks.

Chunks are part of the process to learn the language. Learners need to be conscious of the use of chunks like collocation, idioms, and fixed expressions. 

- The syllabus is centered on lexis.

- Authentic written or spoken texts are used.

- Teach chunks inductively and foster them.

- Tasks to develop and reinforce the use of chunks.

 Functional Approach

 Functions are the crucial aspect, taken into account in language.

 It is based on Presentation, Practice, and Production.

 - The syllabus depends on the regularity of functions use which is considered on communication and events of real experiences.

- Apply communication and PPP tasks.

 Communicative approaches

It is founded on the communication of language. Its function is to communicate involving language variables such as vocabulary, grammar, skills, and discourse.

 The key point is to adapt the lesson with interactive activities.

-Communication needs are the most relevant aspect of the syllabus.

- Create activities to interact in pairs or groups.

- Accuracy is not as important as Fluency.

- Manage suitable inputs with authentic materials.

- Learners are the center of the class, and participate more. The teacher is the guide and facilitator, intract less.

 Grammar Translation

Grammatical rules compose the language

Grammatical rules are analyzed before applying it

- Grammatical rules are presented, then students do exercises.

- The meaning of the language is worked out by analyzing and applying rules.

- A list of words is learned by heart.

- Complete texts or isolated sentences are traduced from L1 to L2 or L2 to L1.

- Focus on accuracy.

Total Physical Response

The most important thing in the language is vocabulary and grammar

- Being exposed to the language. Comprehension before production.

- Nor forcing to speak without giving students a period to hear the language (Silent period).

- Language acquisition is made by accompanied physical activities.

- When students are relaxed, they learn better.

- Used with beginners and young learners

- The syllabus focuses on grammatical structures and vocabulary.

- Students follow instructions on activities that involve physical movements.

- Learners give instructions between them after they have passed the period time.

Guided discovery

The language contains patterns of use and meaning.

A better way of learning is that students find the patterns and rules of the language rather than the teacher make it for them.

- The target language is provided by the teacher.

- The teacher firstly asks the learner the student to work out to complete gapped rules and then it is explained.

- Usually, it is used with different approaches like TBL, PPP, and Functional.

Content-based Learning

The language is linked with the subject matter. Here, grammar structure, functions, lexis, and skills are equally important.

The best way to learn the language is through a subject that contents learners’ interests. When learners are studying an area of interest they are strongly motivated. It facilitates language learning. 

- It is more effective for intermediate and advance students’ level.

- The syllabus focuses on grammar, lexis, functions, or skills.

- Activities extend students’ vocabulary.

- Students learn through school subjects or interesting topics about the world.

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)

All of the aspects of language serves to communicate meaning.

Learners acquire knowledge about a subject and a second language at the same time.

- The syllabus is based on the subject and cognitive skills.

- A subject is taught in L2.

- Language is acquired because the lessons focus more on the subject than the language, so it is acquired unconsciously.

Eclectic approach

It combines various methods and approaches to teaching language according to the aim of the lesson and learners’ abilities.

There is not only one way to teach the language. The teacher has the freedom to choose the best elements that are going to apply according to the aim, needs, and interests.

- The variety breaks the monotony of the class.

- A teacher can select elements and activities from different methods like these:
* Direct Method
* Grammar translation method
* Structural situational Approach
* Bilingual method
* Communicative language teaching and some others.