Universidad Pedagógica Experimental LibertadorInstituto Pedagógico de Caracas

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

Prof. Alexis Maizo

VenTESOL 30th Annual National ConventionValencia, May 2012

Eight questions to answer

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

References8. What do we use technology for?

1. What’s methodology?

2. What should we consider when teaching?

3. How can we use the textbook?

4. What are learners like?

5. Should we work with the four skills?

6. What should we consider in each skill?

7. Who monitors students?

Methodology is generally a guideline system for solving a problem, with specific components such as phases, tasks, methods, and tools.

1. What’s methodology?

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

It analyzes the principles of methods, approaches, rules, and postulates employed by a discipline.

Adapted from: http://goo.gl/zOpel

What’s an approach?

According to Richards and Rodgers (1986), an

approach is “a set of correlative assumptions dealing

with the nature of language teaching and learning.”

(p. 15)

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

Back to: What’s methodology?

What’s a method?

A method is an overall plan for the orderly

presentation of language material which should be

coherent with the selected approach. A method

implies procedures (Richards and Rodgers, 1986).

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

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Three methods; two approaches

•Grammar-Translation Method

•Audio-lingual method

•Total Physical Response (TPR)

•Natural Approach

•Communicative Approach

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

Back to: questions to answer

2. What should we consider when teaching?

Materials

Students

Context

Textbooks, audio/video activities, magazines, newspapers, etc.

Age, learning styles, interests, etc.

Classroom conditions, available resources, duration of the class, etc.

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

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3. How can we use the textbook?

Learners' needs, or classroom conditions lead us to:

• Bring a new set of activities especially designed for the class: readings, listenings, or games.

• Change, skip, or adapt content/activities.

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

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4. What are learners like?

Nowadays, most of them are:

• Inclined towards group activities.

• Digital literate.

• Weak readers

(long texts are not their strength).

• Likely to prefer inductive discovery.

(Adapted from: http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/ )

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

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5. Should we work with the four skills?

Teachers can design activities integrating, at least, two skills at a time:

Reading to speak/write;

Listening to write/speak;

Writing to read and then to speak.

There should be a clear purpose for every task/activity.

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

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6. What should we consider in each skill? (I)

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

• Comprehension through techniques

• Exposure: authentic texts

• Role of reading aloud vs. reading silently.

Reading

• Purpose: fulfill a task/have a class discussion

• Exposure: Once is not enough.

• Design: teacher-generated/adapted

Listening

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6. What should we consider in each skill? (II)

• Purpose: develop communicative abilities.

• Variety of activities (topic/task–based)

• Turn-taking

Speaking

• Purpose: expression of ideas

• Writing process

• As a means/as an end

Writing

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

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7. Who monitors students?

•Their peers

•Themselves Echoing (Harmer, 2009)

•The teacher

Direct correction from the teacher is the last resource after the group has tried to get it right.

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

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8. What do we use technology for?

• Working in class (if possible)

•Assigning activities/homework (individual, whole

group, etc.)

• Designing activities (as a resource for teachers)

• Practicing freely (as a resource for students)

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

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Some resources for teachers and students

• British Council

• BBC learning English

• ELLLO (English Listening Lesson Library On-line)

• V.O.A (Voice of America)

• Speak Up Magazine

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What should we bear in mind?

• Learning inductively

• Encouraging thinking through issues

• Focusing on problem solving skills

• Making connections

• Avoiding memorization of content

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

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ReferencesBrumfit, C. (1984) Communicative methodology in language teaching. London:

Cambridge University Press.

Hedge, T. (1991) Writing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Hirvela, A. (2004) Connecting reading and writing in second language writing instruction. Michigan: University of Michigan Press.

Larsen-Freeman, D. (1986) Techniques and principles in language teaching. New York: Oxford University Press.

Nation, I. (2009) Teaching ESL/EFL reading and writing. Abingdon: Routledge.

Richards, J. & Rodgers. T. (2001) Approaches and methods in language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University press.

Scovel, T. (2001) Learning new languages: a guide to second language acquisition. Ontario: Heinle & Heinle.

Ur, P. (1996) A Course in Language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Teaching methodology in the English classroom

alexhp1987@hotmail.com

@AlexisMaizo

Thank you!

Teaching methodology in the English classroom