CHAPTER: 14 APPROACHES AND METHODS OF TEACHING ENGLISH

 

CHAPTER: 14

APPROACHES AND METHODS OF TEACHING ENGLISH

This Chapter Deals with

Introduction

What is method?

What is an Approach?

What is Techniques?

Relationship between method and an approach

Differences between method and an approach

Some indices of Good method and an approach of teaching English

Different Methods and approaches of Teaching English

Conclusion

Approaches and Methods of Teaching English

Introduction: Teaching is the process of development. A method of teaching is very important in the process of teaching and learning. Good method of teaching result into good learning. A good teacher is always in search of an effective method of teaching. It is a tool in the hands of the teacher. A method is a servant and not the master. The method of teaching a language differ according to the aims for which it is taught. The methods of teaching a foreign language like English are determined by the aims of teaching the language. There are many methods, approaches, and techniques of teaching English. Due to the changing form and status of English, many methods and approaches have been adopted to teach this language. The short comings of one method or one approach gave birth to another method or approach. In order to achieve the objectives of teaching English, the teacher must adopt the adequate method or approach. In order to achieve the objectives of teaching English, the teacher must adopt the adequate method or approach. For this the sound knowledge of various methods and approaches is essential for a teacher. The questions “what” should be taught and how should it be taught are intimately connected because if better methods of teaching are devised, it is possible to learn more. Before we take up different methods and approaches of teaching English, it will be worthwhile to define the following three terms first of all.

What is method?

A method is an overall procedure for an orderly presentation of language material to the pupil. It is a body of techniques that a teacher adopts in classroom teaching learning situation to put across the subject matter in an effective and efficient manner. The Dictionary defines, “A method is a way of doing things”. Generally in the field of education it is concerned how to teach. It is an overall plan of teaching approach. Method is determined on the basis of pupil’s mother tongue, cultural back ground, age and objectives of teaching. According to Secondary Education Commission, “Even the best curriculum and the most perfect syllabus remains dead unless quickened into life by the right methods of teaching and the right kind of teacher”. So, a good teacher always runs after a good method. Overall a method is the process of selection, gradation, presentation and repetition of the subject matter.

What is an Approach?

An approach is a component of method. The word approach in English language teaching refers to different theories about the nature of language and how language is learnt. An approach is a broader term than method. It is an assumptions or guess which may or may not be accepted as effective. It needs no support to justify its effectiveness. Hence it is axiomatic or a self-evident way of reaching the desired goals. While comparing method and approach Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistics 1985 states, “Different theories about the nature of language and how languages are learnt (the approach) imply different ways of teaching language (the method) and different methods make use of different kinds of classroom activity (techniques).

What is Techniques?

A technique is a skill or a strategy to achieve teaching goal which actually takes place in the classroom. It depends on the proficiency of a teacher. It may be described as an implementation  sub process of a method. It should be determined according to the method or an approach. The various techniques used by the English teacher are question answer techniques, drill techniques, reading aloud, to imitate, to pronounce, to copy, to exercise and to spell etc. it depends on the artistry of the language teacher that how will he deal with the method, approach and technique.

Relationship between method and an approach

The methods of teaching and approaches are the basic components of pedagogical analysis i.e. what to teach and how to teach. Approach deals with assumptions and method is a procedure based on some assumptions. In this way within an approach there can be many methods. The main focus of approach is to realize the goals of education effectively while the method is determined by the nature of content. The following chart shows the relationship of the theories, approach, method and techniques.

 

 

Differences between method and an approach: We have already analyzed the relationship between approach and method. On the basis of their relationship the differences between approach and method has been given in tabular form.

Some indices of Good method and an approach of teaching English

A method must include selection and gradation of linguistic materials, the techniques of presentation and practice by the pupil. All the practices in the process of teaching learning is worthless without a good method. The qualities of a good method are as follows-:

(I)       It should follow the maxims of teaching that is proceed from know to unknown, simple to complex, concrete to abstract etc.

(II)    It should suitable to teach in small groups as well as in large size classes.

(III) A method should be sufficient in itself. It should be capable of completing the syllabus in a specific period of time.

(IV) It should be capable of developing language and literary aspects of English teaching.

(V)    It should be flexible. A teacher should be able to select a method or an approach according to the need of the child.

(VI) It should enable one to attain maximum objectives.

(VII)       It should be capable of teaching English language and literature.

(VIII)    The method and approach should be such that a whole course can completed within time.

(IX) The method and approach should follow maxims of teaching.

Different Methods and approaches of Teaching English: There are various methods and approaches of teaching English that has been devised from time to time. The methods and approaches of teaching English language differ according to the aims for which it is taught. Some methods have been out dated and some are still lingering on without much effect. As English is not the student’s first language, so there can be one method for teaching English to every student in India. Different methods and approaches of teaching English are as shown in the chart below-:

Conclusion: In present day training structures newbies are predicted to possess an extended diploma of autonomy and exhibit initiative in mastering processes, inspecting mastering substances and appreciation contents. An environment friendly boom of understanding internal and backyard of faculty is solely feasible if college students have competencies which initiate, information and manage the search for records and later on its processing and storage. In gaining knowledge of and instructing lookup these methods are referred to as mastering strategies. Every instructor develops a specific way of going about the complicated project of teaching. are predicted to help every other for the duration of the educating and studying method . The logical and perfect relationship and friendship of teachers' ratio with their students' fulfillment and retention of mastering need to be regarded too. Teaching techniques (approaches) are warning signs for best outcomes in education. One have to be complete in educating method, coming at the degree of the college students through perception their psychology as well.