Approaches Part 2 Recording

Summary

This lecture discusses various language teaching approaches, including the military alphabet, audio-lingualism, the communicative approach, and task-based language teaching. It explores each method's principles and key characteristics, such as the focus on oral skills and real-life communication, minimal use of native language, and emphasis on meaningful interaction. The audio-lingual method emphasizes repetition and drills, while the communicative approach prioritizes learner-centered instruction and integration of skills. Task-based language teaching encourages real-world tasks and student participation to foster language learning through communication and fluency rather than grammar accuracy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Grammar Translation Method was discussed previously; the focus now shifts to other approaches like Military Alphabet, Audio-Lingualism, Communicative Approach, and Task-Based Language Teaching.
• 😀 The Military Alphabet (A-Z) is used in military contexts, with each letter corresponding to a word, and it can also be applied in language teaching for phonetic clarity.
• 😀 Audio-Lingualism, or the Army Method, emerged during World War II, designed to teach soldiers languages quickly with a focus on speaking skills through drills and repetition.
• 😀 The Audio-Lingual Method emphasizes the formation of language habits through practice and rewards, aligning with behaviorist theories of learning.
• 😀 Key characteristics of Audio-Lingualism include a focus on oral skills, the use of repetitive drills, minimal native language use, reinforcement and feedback, and teaching language in its cultural context.
• 😀 Audio-Lingualism prioritizes speaking and listening skills over reading and writing, advocating for immersion in the target language.
• 😀 Communicative Approach (CLT) emerged in the 1970s as a response to grammar-heavy methods, focusing on using language for communication in real-life situations rather than rote memorization of grammar rules.
• 😀 The main principles of CLT include communication as the core goal, learner-centered instruction, integration of all language skills, use of authentic materials, and emphasis on meaningful interaction.
• 😀 CLT stresses that language learners should be able to speak and understand the language in real situations, with teachers acting as guides rather than traditional information providers.
• 😀 Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) focuses on using real-world tasks to teach language, emphasizing fluency and communication over accuracy in grammar.
• 😀 TBLT consists of three phases: Pre-task (task introduction and motivation), Task (task execution with minimal teacher intervention), and Review (reflection on task outcomes and feedback).
• 😀 TBLT principles include a focus on meaning, real-life relevance of tasks, and student-centered learning, encouraging students to actively participate and take ownership of their learning process.

Q & A

What are the main language teaching approaches discussed in the session?

The session covers the Military Alphabet, Audio-Lingualism, Communicative Approach, and Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT).

What is the Military Alphabet and how is it related to language teaching?

The Military Alphabet, also known as the NATO Phonetic Alphabet, assigns a word to each letter (e.g., Alpha for A, Bravo for B). While primarily used in military communication, studies suggest it can aid pronunciation and listening skills in language learning.

What is Audio-Lingualism and what historical event influenced its creation?

Audio-Lingualism, also known as the Army Method, was developed during World War II in the United States to quickly train soldiers in foreign languages with an emphasis on speaking and listening.

What are the key characteristics of the Audio-Lingual Method?

The five key characteristics are: focus on oral skills, use of drills and repetition, minimal use of the native language, reinforcement and feedback, and inclusion of cultural context.

How does Audio-Lingualism differ from the Grammar Translation Method?

While the Grammar Translation Method emphasizes reading and writing, Audio-Lingualism prioritizes listening and speaking, promoting habit formation through repetitive oral practice.

What is the Communicative Approach (CLT) and what is its main goal?

The Communicative Approach focuses on using language through interaction. Its main goal is to help learners communicate effectively in real-life situations, prioritizing fluency over strict grammatical accuracy.

What are the five key principles of the Communicative Approach?

They are: communication as the core goal, learner-centered instruction, integration of all language skills, use of authentic materials, and focus on meaningful interaction.

How does the Communicative Approach change the teacher’s role in the classroom?

Teachers act as facilitators or guides rather than traditional instructors, allowing students to take active roles in communication and learning.

What is Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) and how is it related to CLT?

TBLT is a teaching approach that emphasizes completing real-life tasks using the target language. It is rooted in the Communicative Approach, sharing its focus on meaningful communication rather than memorization of grammar.

What are the three phases of Task-Based Language Teaching?

The three phases are: Pre-task (introduction and preparation), Task (students perform the activity in pairs or groups), and Review (presentation of outcomes and feedback).

What are the main principles of Task-Based Language Teaching?

The principles include focusing on meaning over accuracy, ensuring real-life relevance of tasks, and promoting student-centered learning where learners actively engage and take ownership of their learning.

How does TBLT promote learner engagement and motivation?

By using tasks that mirror real-life situations and relate to learners’ experiences, TBLT increases motivation and involvement, making learning more practical and personally meaningful.