common assumptions of Language learning and language Teaching Week 1

TASK 1

Your opinions about language learning

1. Languages are learnt mainly through imitation.
2. Parents usually correct young children when they make

grammatical errors.

3. People with high IQs are good language learners. 4. The most important factor in second language acquisition

success is motivation.

5. The earlier a second language is introduced in school

programs, the greater the likelihood of success in learning.

are due to interference from their first language.

6. Most of the mistakes which second language learners make

TASK 1

Your opinions about language learning

7. Teachers should present grammatical rules one at a time,

and learners should practise examples of each one before going to another. complex ones.

8. Teachers should teach simple language structures before 9. Learners error should be corrected as soon as they are made

in order to prevent the formation of bad habits.

10.Teachers should use materials that expose students only to

language structures which they have already been taught.

11.When learners are allowed to interact freely (for example, in

group or pair activities), they learn each others mistakes.

12.Students learn what they are taught.

TASK 2

Your opinions about language teaching

1. Students learn best through spoken, not written

language.

2. Teachers

and students should use the second language rather than the first language in the classroom.

3. Teachers should avoid explicit discussion of grammar. 4. Language should be learned as a whole rather than

split up into fragments. dialogues and texts.

5. Language should be presented to students through 6. Language consists of four skills: listening speaking,

reading and writing.

The Nature Of Approaches And Methods In Language Teaching

TASK 1

REFLECTION
What is your definition of Approach Method, and Technique?

Term
Approach

Definition
Theories underlying ......................................

What does it involve?

1. The view of ............... 2. The belief about ....... 3. The idea of 1. Syllabus to be used 2 ........................................ 3......................................... 4......................................... A variety .........................

Method

Practical plan for .......................... based on ...............................

Technique

Procedure .............

Term
Approach

Definition
Theories underlying the principles and practice of L2 teaching.

What does it involve?

1. The view of the nature of language. 2. The belief about the nature of language learning. 3. The idea of how these views should be applied to the practice of L2 teaching.

Method

Practical plan for teaching a L2 based on a selected approach.

1. Syllabus to be used 2. Teaching & learning objectives 3. Teaching & learning activities 4. Teacher and learner roles A variety of classroom activities to present and practise new language and tactics to provide feedback to Ss.

Technique

Procedure employed to achieve a particular teaching objective.

TASK 2

DISCUSSION
1. What is your own view of language?

Why and what language for? 2. Think about how language; Now people learn L2. differences?

do we learn a

children learn first think about how Can you find any

Theory of language
The structural view: language is a system of structurally related phonological, grammatical, and lexical elements for the transmission of meaning. The target of LL: to achieve a good command of the elements within this system. Some language learning methods based on this view include the Audio-Lingual Method, Total Physical Response, and the Silent Way. The functional view: language is a vehicle for expressing functional meaning. The target of LL: learn to express communication functions and categories of meaning. The Communicative Approach and the Natural Approach are based on this view. The interactional view: language is primarily means for establishing and maintaining interpersonal relations and for performing social transactions between individuals. The target of LL: to learn to initiate and maintain conversations with other people. The Communicative Approach is also informed by this view.

Theory of language learning

A process-oriented theory describes the psycholinguistic and cognitive processes involved in language learning. These processes include habit-formation, induction, inferencing, hypothesis testing, and generalisation. A condition-oriented theory, on the other hand, describes the conditions that need to be met for learning to take place. An approach that emphasizes both the process and the condition dimensions of learning is Krashens Monitor Model of second language development.

Method
When evaluating a method, we consider: (1) what teaching and learning objectives it sets out to achieve, (2) how language content is selected and organised within its framework, (3) what teaching and learning activities it advocates, and (4) what roles it assigns to teachers, learners, and instructional materials.

TASK 3

REFLECTION
Approach, Method or Technique? Cousebook pp15-16
1.T
8.M

2.M
9.T

3.M
10.M

4.A
11.M 18.A

5.A
12.T 19.M

6.T
13.M

7.A
14.M 21.A

15.M 16.M 17.T

20.A