Historical Methodologies

of teaching ESL

By Brett Richards

HUEN 643

The Natural ApproachHistorical Background:

Founded by Tracy Terrell who was a Spanish teacher and with the help of Stephen Krashen in the mid 1970’s early 1980’s

Emphasizes communication and does not focus on the grammar aspect

Stimulates child language acquisition

Emphasizes communication, comprehensible input, kinesthetic activities

A book in 1983 was published called “The Natural Approach.”

The Natural ApproachMethodology of its use:

Teacher only speaks the target language

Class time is used for input acquisition

Errors in speech are not corrected, however it involves lots of grammar exercises.

Its focus is learning and acquisition.

Reading and Listening comprehension for beginning students

Textbooks are not used and it is the teacher’s responsibility to make the classroom experience enjoyable and unchallenging.

Stephen Krashen

Schmidt, G. (2012).

http://www.substancenews.net/articles.php?page=3425. Retrieved

from http://www.slideshare.net/jlo161/community-

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/AjaanRobCMU/the-natual-

approach-teaching-methodology-presentation

Disadvantages of the Natural

Approach Method Limited in its interest and relevance to students

Focuses more on grammar and not speech

Method is considered somewhat outdated

Stephen Krashen on language acquisition. (2012, October). Retrieved from

http://adultesljobs.com/dr-stephen-krashen-on-language-acquisition/

The Grammar Translation Method

Historical Background:

Originated in the 1500’s from teaching Latin. Popular in the 18th

and 19th century

Started by Roger Ascham and John Locke

Has 2 main purposes. The first is to help students read and understand in the language they are learning. Second, is to develop the students overall mental discipline.

Classes are usually conducted in the students native language

This method is hardly ever used anymore and is considered more so ‘outdated’

Roger Ascham

(n.d.). Retrieved from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Ascham

John Locke

(n.d.). Retrieved from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke

Grammar Translation Method

Advantages Translation is the easiest and shortest way of

explaining meaning of words and phrases.

Learners have no difficulties to understand the lesson

as it is carried out in the mother tongue.

It is a labor-saving method as the teacher carries out

everything in the native tongue.

Facilitated the teacher who teach usually straight from

the textbooks

Grammar Translation Method

Disadvantages The method is good at “teaching about the language”,

however it is not good at “teaching the language”.

Speaking or any kind of spontaneous creative output was missing from the curriculum.

Students lack an active role in the classroom.

Very little attention is paid to communication.

Very little attention is paid to content.

Lots of memorization, students do not learn reading comprehension skills.

Translation is sometimes misleading and confusing

Grammar Translation Method

Structure

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S0256-

95742009000700016&script=sci_arttext

The Total Physical Response

(TPR) MethodHistorical Background:

Method was developed by Dr. James Asher

Studied this program in response as to the high drop-out rate of people learning a second language, but yet the majority don’t have problems learning their first language

The human brain has a biological program for acquiring any natural language including sign language for deaf people.

A method of teaching language using physical activity/input

Found that “stress” is a factor in learning a second language. Less stress=more learning

Grammar study is less effective than simple exposure.

Dr. James Asher

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.tpr-world.com

Total Physical Response

Method Involves doing drills which the teacher commands

Students respond by doing the physical actions with

what they hear

Language-body conversation. For example: “Look at

daddy!” (and the child looks towards her dad)

Dr. James Asher has his own website that he updates

that can be found at www.tpr-world.com

Dr. James Ashers Steps The Bio-program

Brain Lateralization

Reduction of Stress

*** These 3 elements were deemed necessary in order to

successfully learn a second language almost identical to

learning your first language.

Advantages Successful with children and adults learning any

language.

Understanding of any target language with Long-term

retention and without stress

Enjoyable for teachers as well as students

The Audio-Lingual MethodHistorical Background:

Founded in the 1950’s-1960’s

Charles Fries was the founder (1887-1967)

Uses a system of “reinforcement” drills and repetitions to acquire a language

Based on positive/negative method. Eg: If something was taught positively, it would usually produce positive answers. If something was taught negatively, there would usually be a negative answer which was equivalent to forming “habits” (Psychological aspect)

The Audio-Lingual Method came from the “Direct Method”

Focus is more direct towards grammar

Charles Fries

(n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/al/research/collect/elt_arc

hive/halloffame/fries/

The Audio-Lingual MethodPsychological aspects of the Audio-Lingual Method:

Language learning is developed by habits

Bad habits need to be eliminated immediately whilst

good habits in the language learning need to be

reinforced and continued

Language is learnt in audio form (orally) then after in its

written form

Lots of memorization involved like the Grammar

Translation Method

Established due to the flaws in the “Direct Method”

The Direct Method Does not use the learners native language but more so the

target language

Also referred to sometimes as the “Natural Method”

Established in Europe in the 1900’s

Class activities and conversation is centered around the

target language using the Direct Method

Called the “direct method” because it is directed at the target

language without translations of the native language

The Direct Method Gives learners ‘useful and meaningful knowledge’

enabling them to speak the language

Relies on language being taught without translation.

This is the opposite to the “Grammar-Translation”

method.

A further belief is that the language can be taught better

if it is actively used continually in a classroom setting by

the teacher who uses demonstrations and hand

gestures and voice tone (similar to that of the “Berlitz

Method”).

Eliminates teacher-student workbook exercises

Advantages of the Direct

Method Helps students become actively involved in the

language

Avoids the textbook

Gives the students the opportunity to interact with other students in the classroom speaking the language

Basic vocabulary is given first to help the students adapt to the language

More oral activities instead of written

Disadvantages of the Direct

Method Some students will not understand everything that is

demonstrated

Teacher does not use textbooks at all where some

students can grasp basic understandings through

written content

Students can become shy of speaking the language in

an immersion type situation

If not taught properly, bad grammatical habits can start

Only effective if taught by the actual native speaker

The Silent Way

Historical Background:

Founded by Egyptian educator Caleb Gattegno (1911–

1988)

The Silent Way found its way into classrooms following

the publication of Gattegno’s text, also called “The

Silent Way”

Its theory is that the student has to be actively engaged

in learning the language on a personal level

Caleb Gattegno

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.apprenez-

autrement.fr/gb/pedagogy.html

The Silent Way The objective is to make learning automatic by

encouraging students to discover, rather than

memorize.

This is achieved by teaching students to associate

physical objects specifically, color-coded rods which

represented a phoneme of the language.

Pronunciation is a key element in learning the target

language.

Repetition and translation are not considered ‘effective’.

The Silent Way Teacher acts as a facilitator and remains ‘silent’ hence,

the name of the method.

Hand gestures, demonstrations and voice tone is used

by the teacher to help the students. This is also used in

the Berlitz Method and the Direct Method.

Uses Cuisenaire Rods (color association) to assist in

the learning process.

Teacher uses prior knowledge of students to help

Students problem-solve the situation

SuggestopediaHistorical Background:

Developed by Georgi Lozanov in 1979

When the mind and body are relaxed, the brain absorbs knowledge without effort.

Can teach a language up to three times faster.

Surrounding environment plays a big role in how a student will learn. Uses songs, games etc,etc to assist in the learning process.

A students ‘belief’ of the method that it works depends on if they will learn the language or not (psychological).

Method involves psychological factors in learning a language.

Georgi Lozanov

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://phoenixclusive.wordpress.com/feature-

stories/suggestopedia-a-revolutionary-learning-method-or-a-fraud/

Suggestopedia Based on “Suggestology” or in other words, eliminating

negative factors from a learners life to be able to learn effectively (psychological aspect)

The learning environment is essential for a student to feel comfortable to learn (psychological)

Teacher should be an active participant with the students, which is the opposite to other methods such as the “Community Language Learning” method and the “Silent Way” method

Other methods such as Superlearning, Suggestive Accelerated Learning and Teaching (SALT), and Psychopädie came about due to Suggestopedia.

Community Language

LearningHistorical Background:

Founded by Jesuit Priest, Charles Curran

In groups, students decide what areas of language they want to learn

Teacher=The Counselor/Student= The Client

The teacher assists the needs of the student

Psychological aspect as counselor and client

Now spread to online social media and forums for language learning

Charles Curran

Gilbert, K. (2010, October 27). Dalls bishop condemns pro-abortion priest lecture.

Retrieved from http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archive//ldn/2010/oct/10102708

Community Language

Learning Method Linguistic and behavioral skills are involved

Learners personal experiences contribute to the

learning atmosphere

Involves the person completely and uses their feelings,

emotion and knowledge to be able to learn a language

Advantages to the Community

Language Learning Method

The counselor lets the students determine the

conversation

Helps the student make trial-error improvements

Allows in groups to support each other

Disadvantages to the Community

Language Learning Method

The teacher can be too non-functional with the students.

Students might develop bad linguistic habits within the group.

The translation by the teacher might not be sufficiently correct.

Not enough interest in the area of Community Language Learning from many teachers.

Considered a difficult method by teachers due to letting the students take control of the situation which could be disastrous.

Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/jlo161/community-language-

learning

Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/jlo161/community-language-learning

The Berlitz Method

Historical Background:

Founded by Maximilian Berlitz (1852-1921)

Immigrated to the U.S. and was a French and German teacher

Was teaching, became ill and hired Nicholas Joy who taught the

class, upon Berlitz's return, the class spoke semi-fluent French

due to Nicholas Joy using hand gestures, facial expressions, tone

of voice and pointing to objects.

Berlitz noticed it was effective and built upon this newly discovered

method and called it the “Berlitz Method” which involves only

speaking the target language, or in other words, complete

immersion in the language.

Maximilian Berlitz

n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/al/research/collect/elt_archive/halloffame/ber

litz/

The Berlitz Method

Achievements and where it stands today:

Began opening up language institutions all over the United States

Taught the German Kaiser English

Received many distinguished awards from around the world

Actively taught until his death at 68 years old

Berlitz is now an international tradesmark that has schools all over

the world. Their official website is http://www.berlitz.com

The Communicative ApproachHistorical Background:

Popular in the 1970’s and 1980’s

Many different linguist professionals in the U.K. and the U.S. such as Henry Widdowson and Dell Hymes (deceased) attributed to the method

Had a high demand throughout Europe due to migration and business purposes

Languages began to be taught in all schools and not just private institutions therefore, curriculums were changed in schools and implemented all through Europe

Lessons are topic or theme based, engages learners and not grammatical based or repetitive

Henry Widdowson

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://nnesintesol.blogspot.com/2009/01/henry-g-

widdowson.html

Dell Hymes (1927-2009)

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://culturizatemundo.blogspot.com

The Communicative Approach Language is used when it has real meaning or in other

words, ‘using’ the language in real communicationsituations. More hands on approach

Came about due to dissatisfaction of the ‘audio-lingual’ and ‘grammar translation’ methods

Encourages students to learn more about the culture of thelanguage being learnt and to have more direct interaction(if possible) of those that speak that particular language

Interaction is within pairs or groups to encourage the flow of conversation.

Advantages of the

Communicative Approach Works well with students at lower levels of English

Creates a good environment of trust between the

teacher and the student

Teacher (counselor) is more so a “guide” and lets the

students direct the conversation and class to where it

wants to go to let the students (clients) feel comfortable

Students become more confident and independant

Disadvantages of the

Communicative Approach

Teacher has to know the target language and the

native language in order to effectively teach

Translation can become tedious especially if the

teacher does not translate the language correctly

Involves a lot of planning

If the teacher (counselor) does not guide the student

well, the student (client) can become discouraged due

to confusion and misunderstandings

Bibliographyhttp://www.tpr-world.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_method_(education)

http://www.apprenez-autrement.fr/gb/pedagogy.html

http://phoenixclusive.wordpress.com/feature-

stories/suggestopedia-a-revolutionary-learning-method-

or-a-fraud/

http://www.berlitz.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communicative_language_tea

ching

Bibliographyhttp://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/articles/community-

language-learning

http://myenglishpages.com/blog/community-language-

learning/

http://teflpedia.com/Direct_Method

http://nnesintesol.blogspot.com/2009/01/henry-g-

widdowson.html

http://www.onestopenglish.com/support/methodology/teac

hing-approaches/teaching-approaches-what-is-

suggestopedia/146499.article

Bibliographyhttp://mrs-siehs-esl-

wiki.wikispaces.com/Krashen+and+The+Natural+Approach

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archive//ldn/2010/oct/10102708

http://www.mjal.org/Journal/Community.pdf

http://culturizatemundo.blogspot.com

http://www2.vobs.at/ludescher/Alternative%20methods/communicativ

e_language_teaching.htm

http://www.slideshare.net/AjaanRobCMU/the-natual-approach-

teaching-methodology-presentation

http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S0256-

95742009000700016&script=sci_arttext

Bibliographyhttp://www.onestopenglish.com/support/methodology/teaching-

approaches/teaching-approaches-what-is-the-silent-

way/146498.article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlitz_Corporation#Maximilian_D._

Berlitz

http://www.jwelford.demon.co.uk/brainwaremap/suggest.html

http://blog.about-esl.com/audio-lingual-method-teaching-

english/

http://www-

01.sil.org/lingualinks/languagelearning/waystoapproachlanguag

elearning/TheAudioLingualMethod.htm

The End

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I will remember,

involve me and I will always learn.”-Anonymous