ELT Methods: A Basic Appraisal
A. The method in teaching English:
The Grammar Translation Method
Just like its name suggests, this method of teaching English is grammar heavy and relies
a lot on translation.
The Structural Approach
As the name suggests, the method is all about structure. The idea is that any language is
made up of complex grammar rules.
Suggestopedia
It’s essential that all learners feel equally comfortable and confident. When teachers are
training to use the Suggestopedia method, there’s a lot of art and music involved. Each
Suggestopedia lesson is divided into three different phases – 1.
Communicative Language Teaching
The idea behind this approach is to help learners communicate more effectively and
correctly in realistic situations that they may find themselves in.
The Silent Way
This method of learning English follows a structural syllabus and grammar, vocabulary
and pronunciation are constantly drilled and recycled for reinforcement. The teacher
evaluates their students through careful observation, and it’s even possible that they may
never set a formal test as learners are encouraged to correct their own language errors.
Community Language Learning
Unlike a lot of the other methods and approaches of teaching English as a Second
Language, a lot of the L1 is used for translation purposes.
B. Grammar Translation Method
In grammar-translation classes, students learn grammatical rules and then apply those
rules by translating sentences between the target language and the native language. Advanced
students may be required to translate whole texts word-for-word.
Classes are taught in the mother tongue
Much vocabulary is taught in the form of lists of isolated words.
Why would I use this method?
This is especially helpful in teaching students how to write and read in another
language, allowing them to explore interchangeable words and phrases more effectively than
a verbal teaching method.
Strenghts
Students learn a lot of vocabulary.
C. Direct Method
Characteristics
Grammar was taught inductively. Correct pronunciation and grammar were
emphasized.
Why should I use this method?
In contrast with the GTM, the Direct Method is on target. All of these techniques
emphasize the Direct Method's core strength---teaching students to be able to speak
the target language rather than merely be able to translate it.
Opportunities
- On the one hand, it will be a good chance for students to improve our knowledge
about Grammar and to excel our pronunciation, and at the other hand it is a good
method for intermediate and advanced teachers to make student´s skills float.
Comparing this method with the Grammar Translation, this one will open more doors
now
D. Principles & characteristics
