Approach Indicator

1.     Language learners learn best by using plenty of ANALYSIS. Any effort made by the learner will be useless, unless, there is some sort of reflection on what was done, checking what was done well, to keep it, and what was not so well done, to improve it. I encourage my students to keep all their tests and writings, so after some time they can go back to them and see how much they’ve improved.

2.     A teacher’s feedback to the students should be given FREQUENTLY. Students are quite absent-minded and have a lot on their minds; therefore a constant feedback will sink in more if it is right after students’ performances. However, I believe it is just sensible to do this when it comes to tests or other forms of evaluation, not when students are participating in classes.

3.     Teaching learners to use their own learning strategies is USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE. What I think is that the teacher should provide students with a set of strategies and students are the ones who get to choose the ones that suit them best, that way, strategies will be worth using them.

4.     Mistakes that students make in speech ARE INFORMATIVE. Of course! In terms of how anxious or stressed students feel towards the language. That is quite useful information for me as a teacher. With that knowledge, I can create a more comfortable environment, whenever these students have to face oral activities.

Summary Methods

The Audiolingual Method

After World War II, USA raised an interest in the need for Americans to be skilled in their allies and enemies languages. Therefore, the U.S. military came up with intensive language courses that emphasized the oral part known as the Audiolingual Method. This method gave importance to pronunciation, conversation, mimicry, and memorization of phases, dialogues. There was no grammar, use of mother tongue, or translation.

Community Language Method

This method is affectively based. Learners are seen as a group that interacts facilitating learning in a context of valuing and cherishing each individual in the group. The aim is to decrease anxiety levels by means of a supportive community. The teacher is seen as a counsellor. Students sit in a circle and they are helped by the teacher in their interactions with the class; classes are recorded so students can evaluate their performances.

Suggestopedia

Learning takes place through a deep state of relaxation so maximum retention can be achieved. Music is key to this method. The teacher reads and students repeat and memorize.

 The Silent Way

This method emphasizes on the learners independence; they should discover or generate learning. Learning is achieved by the use of certain objects that are used as problem solving material. The role of the teacher is silent; the teacher should also keep corrective feedback to a minimum.

Total Physical Response

Method devised to decrease stress. It emphasizes listening, use of imperatives and commands. Students listen to instructions and respond in a physical manner.

The Natural Approach

It suggests production delay till students feels ready, comfortable, and have received an important amount of input by the teacher. This method seeks personal communication (everyday language).