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

The direct method is 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 behavior receives positive feedback, while errors receive negative feedback.

• Drills are used to teach structural patterns
• Set phrases are memorized with a focus on intonation
• Grammatical explanations are kept to a minimum
• Vocabulary is taught in context
• Audio-visual aids are used
• Focus is on pronunciation
• 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. CLL 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.

Communicative language teaching (CLT)

Communicative language teaching, 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.