Overview of English teaching approaches and methods

obligatory courses

The course aims to teach students about the wide spectrum of ELT methods, both conventional and non-conventional so that they would be able to select methods and techniques which are the most appropriate for the taught group. Within each method students learn about its theoretical background, as far as the language and learning/teaching is concerned. They also learn about teaching receptive and productive skills within each method, as well as teaching vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.

The following issues are discussed during the course:

• the beginning of foreign language teaching (J.A. Komensky);

• first methods of English language teaching (Grammar Translation Method, Direct Method, Audiolingual Method);

• Cognitive Approach in foreign language teaching (N.Chomsky);

• humanistic approach in foreign language teaching;

• selected non-conventional methods (TPR, Silent Way, Suggestopedia);

• Communicative Approach in contemporary English language teaching;

• new discoveries in neuroscience and foreign language teaching.

Books

1. Asher, J. (1996) Learning another language through actions: the complete teacher’s guidebook. (5th ed.). Los Gatos, CA: Sky Oaks Productions

2. Brown, H.D. (2000) (4th ed.). Principles of Language learning & Teaching. Longman

3. Harmer, J. (2008) The Practice of English Language Teaching: Pearson Longman.

4. Howatt, A.P.R. (1984). A History of English Language Teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

5. Lightbown, P.M., Spada, N. (2006), How Languages are Learned: An introduction to the main theories of first and second language acquisition. Oxford Handbooks for Language Teachers

6. Richards, J.C., Rodgers, T.S. (2005) Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press.

7. Scrivener, J. (2010) Learning Teaching: Macmillan Books for Teachers.

Internet resources

1. european-science.com/jaelt/article/download/281/pdf

2. http://www.kendallhunt.com/uploadedFiles/Kendall_Hunt/Content/Higher_Education/Uploads/CH11_Zainuddin_3e.pdf

3. http://www.academia.edu/7953807/Though_this_be_madness_yet_theres_method_ology_int_some_reflections_on_the_teaching_of_English_to_foreign_students

4. http://www.tau.ac.il/~agass/joseph-papers/chomsky.pdf

5. http://www.cambridge.org/other_files/downloads/esl/booklets/Richards-Communicative-Language.pdf

6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiTsduRreug

7. http://www.tpr-world.com/

8. http://calebgattegno.org/teaching-languages/168-teaching-foreign-languages-in-schools-the-silent-way.html

9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX4JFEUgqlg

10. http://www.pearsonhighered.com/samplechapter/0131579061.pdf

Knowledge

On completing the course student:

- possesses the knowledge about both conventional and non-conventional methods of ELT;

- possesses the basic knowledge about the theory of language and the theory of learning/teaching within each method;

- knows how to implement the discussed methods in particular language groups.

Abilities

On completing the course student:

- evaluates the usefulness of given method in the teaching situation;

- is able to select the elements of particular methods for given groups;

- explains the differences in various approaches and methods while teaching receptive and productive skills;

- explains differences in various approaches and methods while teaching vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.

Social competences:

On completing the course student:

- shares her/his knowledge and reflections about various methods of ELT with other teachers;

- analyses and critically assesses the possibilities of implementing the methods in various language groups

Forms of work:

lecture, discussion, self - work

Requirements:

1. Systematic reading of compulsory literature.

2. Active participation in discussions during the classes.

3. 2 absences allowed

4. Final test at the end of the semester.

Completed Portfolio tasks