da Sala de Aula
Approaches and Methods in Language
Teaching
Andreia Fernandes
andreia.lof@gmail.com
Let’s Reflect!
Method:
A systematic presentation of language
Technique:
Each specific strategy that we use in the classroom
Approach
Method
Technique
Communicative
Grammar-Translation Audio-lingualism Language
Suggestopedia Teaching
(A book by B. Sears, an American classics teacher, published in 1845 was entitled The
Ciceronian or the Prussian Method of Teaching the Elements of the Latin Language
(Kelly, 1969)).
Main Features:
• Reading and writing are the main focus. Little attention is paid to
speaking or listening.
• Vocabulary selection is based on the reading texts used. Words
are taught through bilingual word lists, dictionary study, and
memorization.
The Anti-
The Reform The Natural The Berlitz
Grammatical
Method Method Method
Method
The Direct Method was developed by Maximilian Berlitz.
Suggestopedia
TPR – Total Physical Response
• It is a lot of fun, students enjoy it and it can be a real stirrer in the class. It
lifts the pace and the mood.
• It can be used in large or small classes. It doesn't really matter how many
students you have as long as you are prepared to take the lead, the
students will follow.
Basic elements:
Colored charts
(called Fidel charts)
Example:
The teacher shows the learners a small red Cuisenaire rod and a bigger
blue one and says ‘The blue one is bigger than the red one'. The learners
repeat this. The teacher then substitutes the rods to produce other
models, and finally encourages the learners to produce their own
comparisons.
Areas of target language where Cuisenaire rods can be useful:
• word boundaries
• contracted forms
• prepositions
• word order
• word stress
Teacher Roles
The teacher’s role is one of neutral observer, neither praise nor criticize,
merely looks for continued improvement.
Decoration
Furniture
Arrangement of the classroom
Use of music
Authoritative behavior of the teacher
Classroom set-up
• Armchair
• Light is comfortable
• Everything is bright and colorful
• Posters
• Music
• The teacher speaks confidently.
• The teacher leads the class in various activities involving the
dialogue, for example, question-and-answer, repetition and
translation.
• The teacher should integrate indirect positive suggestion into the
learning situation.
Classroom set-up
Fine Arts – one of the ways the sts’ mental reserves are stimulated is through
integration of the fine arts (music, drama or paintings).
Enjoy your learning – the teacher gives the sts the impression that learning is
easy and enjoyable.
Choosing a new identity – it enhances sts’ feeling of security and allows them
to be more open.
Language Skills
Reading – the teacher reads several times to sts varying the tone and rhythm.