Three types of teaching methods in English.

Highly Imperative Teaching Methods in English

There are various types of teaching methods to second language teaching. Sometimes the second language learners may learn a language through a method taught by the teachers without having a knowledge of the teaching method. Depending on the teaching situation, setting, and resources available, any of these English teaching methods could be right for individual students. Here, this short note mainly focuses on the three teaching methods found in English. They are as following;

a.      The Grammar Translation Method

b.      Direct Method

c.       Communicative Approach    

 

·         The Grammar Translation Teaching Method

The grammar-translation teaching method is a classical method in the traditional academic setting. This technique was used to teach Latin and Greek in 16^th century. This method mainly focuses on the translation of texts, grammar, and rote learning of vocabulary.

Generally the process of this teaching is only translating the textbooks into the target language and so, there is less possibility for the development of grammar knowledge and communication. It means, in this method, there is no use of aids, no practice of speaking, no direct bond between thought and expression. This is very helpful and useful to teach classical languages. Normally, this method is still commonly used when learning languages around the world. However, it does little to improve students’ ability to use the language for oral communication.

                                                        ·         Direct Method

The direct method is also a teaching method that is also known as the “oral’ or Natural method, which was originated around the 1900s. This method is based on the direct involvement of the student when speaking and listening to the foreign language in common everyday situations. The main idea of the direct method is that it only uses the target language that the students are trying to learn. So in this method, there are no translations, it focuses on each branch, speaking, writing, listening, and reading. And this takes time to improve the language and the teacher should be skilled. But it is not an easy methodology to use in a classroom situation if there where it is overcrowded, because it requires small classes like near 30 students, otherwise teacher can teaches well and generate natural situations of understanding and guarantee sufficient practice for everyone in the classroom.

 There are several characteristics that can be seen in this method

a.       Lessons are taught in the target language

b.      There is a focus on everyday vocabulary.

c.       Visual aids are used to teach vocabulary.

d.      Particular attention is placed on the accuracy of pronunciation and grammar.

e.       A systematic approach is developed for comprehension and oral expression.

Anyhow, this method has been developed in a manner that the teacher allows limited explanations in the student’s native language and explains some grammar rules to correct common errors a student may make when speaking. Today popular forms of the Direct Method are Callan and Berlitz.

·         The Communicative Approach

The communicative method is to enable the learners to communicate effectively and correctly in various situations individual would be likely to find herself/himself in. And this is a method that the student feels the safest as there’s a great emphasis on the relationship and bond between the student and teacher. Thus this type of teaching involves focusing on important functions like suggesting, thanking, inviting, complaining, and asking for directions to name but a few. When learners are involved in real communication, their natural approaches for language acquisition will be used, and this will allow them to learn to use the language.

Example
Practicing question forms by asking learners to find out personal information about their classmates is an example of the communicative approach, as it involves meaningful communication.

In the classroom
Classroom activities guided by the communicative approach are characterized by trying to produce meaningful and real communication, at all levels. As a result, there may be more emphasis on skills than systems.

Thus Communicative Language Teaching method has various characteristics that distinguish it from previous methods:

• Understanding occurs through active student interaction in the foreign language
• Teaching occurs by using genuine English texts
• Students not only learn the second language but they also learn strategies for understanding
• Importance is given to learners’ personal experiences and situations, which are considered as an invaluable contribution to the content of the lessons
• Using the new language in unrehearsed contexts creates learning opportunities outside the classroom (https://blog.tjtaylor.net/)

Thus in this case, we can identify that the teacher should give more opportunities for the students to improve their speaking skills because a language could not be learned by rote learning. Therefore, here the important fact is to speak as much English as a possible teacher to students and teacher should encourage to teach necessary language for the activities. Further, the teacher can demonstrate an example and encourage learners to support each other or give encouragement to motivate students.