Summary of the most important methods studied in class

MOST IMPORTANT METHODS STUDIED IN CLASS

As teachers, we have to know different methods and choose those that are the best for our students. I mean, methods that respond to the needs of our students. Because our aim is to obtain a success in the process of teaching-learning but we don’t have to forget that our students must feel motivated in this process.

Not all the methods are bad and not all of them are so good, so we have to do a mix of all methods, choosing those, which are more suitable in our class.

GRAMMAR-TRANSLATION METHOD

Long lists of vocabulary items present this method where students can find vocabulary-translation, and phonetics. Lists that students have to memorize. Besides, the explanation of the grammatical rules is in Spanish.

With this method textbooks are fundamental and there is no use of the second language in class except for translation. Moreover, reading and writing is the center of the class no place for listening and speaking

DIRECT METHOD

In this method, wall charts, posters, and visual aids are used in the classroom. The interaction of the classroom was conducted exclusively in the target language. Students listen to songs and play games.  

With this method, only everyday vocabulary and sentences were taught through demonstration, objects and pictures. Teacher emphasize correct pronunciation and grammar, this last one was taught inductively.

Furthermore, there was no translation. Nevertheless, this method could be a little tiring for the teacher because this method implies talking in English and being imaginative all the time during five hours a day, helping your students and checking their mistakes. On the other hand, the Direct method could be a problem for shy students.

AUDIO-LINGUAL METHOD

This method is used since the 40’s. Students have to listen and read after the teacher, who is the center of the process teaching-learning. It is important to prevent errors as they can be remembered

One way of practicing this method is making group of students (group, pairs, etc.) doing mechanical oral exercises

COMMUNITY LANGUAGE LEARNING

It was created especially for Adult Learners who might fear to appear foolish. The Teacher becomes a language counselor who coordinates, guides, and helps his/her students who work in small groups. In this way, students feel confident.

SUGGESTOPEDIA

The only major linguistic problems in the language classroom are memorization and integration.

The result of the appropriate use of suggestion is an enormous increase in the individual´s ability to learn (Lozanov)

THE SILENT WAY

Teaching should be subordinated to learning and students should be able to use the language for self-expression.

Students become independent by relying on themselves and only the learner can do learning

TOTAL PHYSICAL RESPONSE TPR (LISTEN-WATCH-IMITATE)

Also named Comprehension Approach. The TPR makes use of commands to direct behavior so as to get students to perform an action. The action makes the meaning of the command clear. As we can see with the TPR listening comprehension comes first.