REVIEW OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING METHODS

by : Ivan Achmad Nurcholis, M.Pd.

Teaching is :

- Teaching is a process of imparting knowledge and skills

- Systematic process based on some educational objectives

- To communicate the message of knowledge

Gebhard (2000) in his book ‘Teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language’ said that a teacher should have appropriate knowledge to perform his/her successful teaching. One of the knowledge is mastering foreign language teaching methods.

- Teachers have tried to study and learnt the teaching methods but no one has yet come up with the ‘best’ one.

- Language teacher are often confronted with set of terms, such as teaching method, approach, strategy, and technique.

• Celce-Murcia (2004), that a method is specific set of procedure. While a technique is a very specific type of learning activity used in one or more methods.

• Brown (2001), that an approach is theoritically well informed positions, assumptions, thoughts, notions and beliefs concerning the nature of language, the nature of language learning.

• Next, Method is a generalized set of specification in the classroom for achieving linguistics objectives. In addition, a technique is any exercises, activities, and tasks in the classrooms to meet the objectives or goal of learning.

Reason why a teacher needs to learn foreign language teaching methods:

1. Teaching methods are just like fashions.2. There is no bad or good English teaching

methods.3. To make teaching and learning process

become easier.

Factors that influence the selection of teaching methods:

a. Studentsb. Learning objectives to be achievedc. Factors of learning materialsd. Teaching and learning situatione. Facilitiesf. Allocation of instructional timeg. Teacher

Types of Foreign Language Teaching Methods:

1. Grammar Translation Method (1890s-1930s)2. Direct Method (1970s)3. Audiolingual Method (1950s-1960s)4. Communicative Language Taching Method5. Silent Way Method (1960s-2000s)

6. Total Physical Response (1960s-2000s)7. Community Language Learning (1960s-2000s)8. Suggestopedia9. Natural or Communicative Approach10. Inquiry-based Instruction11. Task-based Learning12. Cooperative Learning.

1. Grammar Translation Method- The grammar translation method which is also

known as the grammar translation approach is often referred to as the classical method/old method as it was first used in the teaching of Latin and Greek.

- It emphasises the study in translation of the written language.

- Successful learners are those who translate each language into the other, though they cannot communicate orally

- Students must learn grammatical rules overtly- Teaches the language by ‘rule’ and not by ‘use’.- Teacher is the strict authority. Students are the

passive receivers of the new information. - Teacher formal grammar from the very beginning.- Ways of teaching: a presentation of a grammatical

rule, followed by a list of vocabulary and, finally translation exercises from selected text.

2. Direct method

- As reaction against GTM- Expert teacher is required- Inductive learning is essential for discovery

and fluency- Language is for oral use. L1 is forbidden.- The teacher is partner and guide for

students. Students are active participants.- Not useful for crowded class

- First speaking is taught and then only reading and writing.

3. Audiolingual Method- Language learning is a process of habit formation. More

repeat stronger the habit. - Focus on pronunciation. Dependence on mimicry and

memorization of set phrases- It is important for teahers to preven students errors since

errors can lead to the formation of bad habits.- Use grammar drills. Students should overlearn the sentence

patterns of the target language.- Immediate reinforcement of correct response to develop

correct habits.- Learning vocabulary in context.

- Speech is for basic to language in written form.

- Don’t stand in one place to know who give more practice to during individual drilling.

- Use ‘backward buildup’.

4. Situational Language Teaching Method

- Connected to real world situation- Teaching is started by oral language- Materials are presented firstly orally then in

written- Use target language- Oral is as the language foundation and

grammar is the heart of the oral.

5. Silent Way Method

- Unique method because the teacher is silent and can focus on the language of the students.

- No books used. Teacher just uses facilities.- Students need on board. The need to

understand what the process is. So they’re not scare of if.

- The focus is on them.

- The teacher sometimes can disappear to the back, side of the class so no one can see the teacher so the focus is only on them.

- Teacher should take a lot of patient, understanding, observing of students’ learning.

- All base is in discovery. Students really discover the language.

- They don’t memorize.- This method is slower because focus on the

quality than quantity.- Students’ attitude should be positive .

6. Total Physical Response Method (TPR)

- The students listen and do the movement accordingly

- The sentences are repeated several times- At the beginning it is important to maintain

the order.- The students learn to understand the

meaning of the sentences with the helps of mime, gestures, and drawing on the board.

7. Community Language Learning- Learning a language is not viewed as an

individual accomplishement, but rather as a collective experience, something to be disseminated out into the community at large.

- The students determine what is to be learned- The students are creative, dynamic, and no

directive in their community- The role of the teacher is that of a facilitator

and support

8. Suggestopedia- Classess are small and intensive, with a low stress

focus.- Material is presented in an especially melodic and

artistic way. - Background classical or baroque music to create

pleasant and playful atmosphere.- Teacher firstly present the content of the text

through special improvisation, special movement, and sounds without using text. It is like doing drama.

- Teacher secondly present again the topic but through reading slowly the text, while students are listening to pronunciation, with slow intonation, and vocabulary to give the meaning.

- Doing the movement themselve is important

9. Natural or Communicative Approach

- Activities that involve real communication promotes learning.

- No inference of grammar- The teacher is a facilitator and monitor of

students’ learning. Students are communicators and active negotiators of meaning.

10. Inquiry-based instruction

- The core of inquiry is spontaneous and a self-directed exploration.

- Investigative processes such as inferring, hypothesizing, measuring, predicting, classifying, analyzing, and experimenting, formulating conclusions and generalization are employed.

- Experiencing success in inquiry based builds up the learners’ feeling of confidence.

- Teachers strongly believe that facts and concepts that learners discover by themselves become stored as part of their permanent learning.

11. Task-Based Method

- Students are completing a task with others such as writing a newspaper article, giving oral presentation.

- Pre-task, task, and post-task - Work to understand each other and the task at

hand (problem solving, critical thinking, interaction)

- The students use authentic language using L2.

- The tacher is an observer or counsellor. Students are engaged and motivated in L2 tasks.

- Example of techniqu: Collaborative work.

12. Cooperative Language Learning

- Students’ center model- CLL makes maximum use of cooperative

activities involving pairs and small groups of learners in the classroom.

- Learning is dependent socially (help each other to increase the interaction and contribution).

- Benefit: Academic achievement, reducing anxiety, promoting interaction, self confidence

- Examples: Three-step interview, NHT, Rountable, Think-Pair-Share, Jigsaw.

THANK YOU