Metodi di insegnamento in lingua inlgese

Teaching Methods

What is a method? "A language teaching method is a single set of procedures which teachers are to follow in the classroom. Methods are usually based on a set of beliefs about the nature of language and learning."

Direct method: based on natural language learning principles. Only the target language was used in the classroom. Teacher and student communicated with each other, relating grammatical forms they were studying to objects and pictures.

The Audio-lingual Teaching Method: This teaching technique was initially called the Army Method, and was the first to be based on linguistic theory and behavioral psychology. Based on Skinner's Behaviorism theory, it assumed that a human being can be trained using a system of reinforcement. Correct behaviour receives positive feedback, while errors receive negative feedback. Some characteristics of this method are:

• Drills are used to teach structural patterns
• Set phrases are memorised with a focus on intonation

1. Grammatical explanations are kept to a minimum
2. Vocabulary is taught in context
3. Audio-visual aids are used
4. Focus is on pronunciation
5. Correct responses are positively reinforced immediately

The Silent Way:

The Silent Way is a language-teaching method created by Caleb Gattegno that makes extensive use of silence as a teaching method. The method emphasizes learner autonomy and active student participation. It is based on the premise that the teacher should be silent as much as possible in the classroom but the learner should be encouraged to produce as much language as possible. Pronunciation is seen as fundamental to the method, with a great deal of time spent on it each lesson.

Community language learning (CLL):

Community language learning is a language-teaching approach in which students work together to develop what aspects of a language they would like to learn. It is based on the Counselling-approach in which the teacher acts as a counselor and a paraphraser, while the learner is seen as a client and collaborator.

differs from other methods by which languages are taught. It’s based on an approach modeled on counseling techniques that alleviate anxiety, threat and the personal and language problems a person encounters in the learning of foreign languages.

Teaching Methods

Communicative language teaching (CLT), or the communicative approach, is an approach to language teaching that emphasizes interaction as both the means and the ultimate goal of study. It emphasizes learning a language through genuine communication. Learning a new language is easier and more enjoyable when it is truly meaningful. The language used to communicate must be appropriate to the situation, the roles of the speakers, the setting and the register. The learner needs to differentiate between a formal and an informal style. Learners must have constant interaction with and exposure to the target language. The topics are selected and graded regarding age, needs, level, and

students’ interest.

Suggestopedia: The approach was based on the power of suggestion in learning, the notion being that positive suggestion would make the learner more receptive and, in turn, stimulate learning. In order to create this relaxed state in the learner and to promote positive suggestion, suggestopedia makes use of music, a comfortable and relaxing environment. The original form of suggestopedia presented by Lozanov consisted of the use of extended dialogues, often several pages in length, accompanied by vocabulary lists and observations on grammatical points. Typically these dialogues would be read aloud to the students to the accompaniment of music. The most formal of these readings, known as the "concert reading", would typically employ a memorable piece of classical music such as a Beethoven symphony.

Total Physical Response (TPR): was created by Dr. James J Asher. It is based upon the way that children learn their mother tongue. Parents have 'language-body

conversations' with their children, the parent instructs and the child physically responds to this. The parent says, "Look at mummy" or "Give me the ball" and the child does so. These conversations continue for many months before the child actually starts to speak itself. In the classroom the teacher plays the role of parent. She starts by saying a word ('jump') or a phrase ('look at the board') and demonstrating an action. Natural Approach: The Natural Approach belongs to a tradition of language teaching methods based on observation and interpretation of how learners acquire both first and second languages in non-formal settings. Such methods reject the formal (grammatical) organization of language as a prerequisite to teaching. Based on communication. Lot of vocabulary. No native language. Practice activities. Content based instruction: Content-Based Instruction is an approach to language teaching that focuses not on the language itself, but rather onwhat is being taught through the language; that is, the language becomes the medium through which something new is learned. In the CBI approach the student learns the TL by using it to learn some other new content. For example by studying the French Revolution while using the French language. The language being learned and used is taught within the context of the content. The theory behind CBI is that when students are engaged with more content, it will promote intrinsic motivation. Students will be able to use more advanced thinking skills when learning new information and will focus less on the structure of the language. This approach is very student-centered as it depends entirely on the students' ability to use the language. PP Triangle lesson structure: 1 part Presentation (Pronunciation, meaning, form), 2 part Practice (controlled practice) 3 part Production (free practice) reflection sheet Lexical approach: The lexical approach is a way of analysing and teaching

Language based on the idea that it is made up of lexical units rather than grammatical structures. The units are words, chunks formed by collocations, and fixed phrases. A simple activity to incorporate the lexical approach is to encourage learners to identify and record lexical chunks and fixed phrases in texts they read. Lexis is the base of language. Grammar is not the basis of a language and is not a prerequisite for effective communication. The key principle of a lexical approach is that language consists of grammaticalized lexis, not lexicalized grammar. You take lexis and you apply grammar to it in order to communicate rather than the other way round.

Grammar translation Methode: Language teachers have used the grammar-translation method for many years. It is one of the most traditional methods in foreign language teaching that was originally used to teach languages and literatures such as Latin and Greek. This method involves very little spoken communication and listening comprehension.

The primary skills to be improved are reading and writing skills. Its main characteristics are: learners should learn the grammatical rules of the target language and apply them in translating from one language into the other; learners should learn vocabulary through direct translation from the native language; learners should read in the target language and then translate directly in the native language. The popularity of the grammar-translation method began to decline in the 19th century because of the importance of and demand for developing oral communication. Nevertheless, traces of this method can be found in some practices today, especially in courses where reading and translation are key skills to develop in order to take a proficiency test.

TBL TASK BASED LEARNING: Sometimes called 'Task-Based Language Teaching', TBL lessons students solve a task that involves an authentic use of language, rather than completing simple language questions about grammar or vocabulary.

Learning is a good way to get students engaged