Introduction to Teaching Methods

Dr. Sara E. Cooper

Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures

CSU, Chico

Grammar Based Teaching (GBT)

Grammar Based Teaching (GBT)

IMPLEMENTATION

Start with an example: I am happy. Tom is happy. We are happy.

The girls are happy too. Are you happy?

GBT

Follow up with an explanation:

Introduce the verb “to be” Introduce the concept of “conjugation” Give the standard conjugation scheme for

this verb

GBT Begin practice of structure. Spiral up in difficulty.

For instance, a first practice could be to choose which form is correct in a discrete choice sentence format:

Linda is/am happy. My sister and I is/are happy.

A second practice could require figuring out and writing the correct form:

We _____ happy today. My sister _____ happy.

GBT Continue practice with exercises, oral or written,

that require learners to show increased ability to produce structure.

Remember-inGBT after one or two practices, new vocabulary may be introduced.

In pairs, create a sequence of two or three more practices that spiral up in complexity. Share with the group.

Grammar Based Teaching

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this method?

Task-Based Learning & Teaching (TBLT)

Task-Based Learning & Teaching (TBLT)

Implementation

First, introduce a general context for what you will study and establish that the students have interest, need, or desire to learn how to do related tasks.

Example: A vacation in New York

TBLT Next, suggest one or more of the possible

tasks that would be necessary in this context, such as:

1. Making an airplane reservation2. Choosing a hotel and making the reservation3. Planning activities to do while in New York4. Actually taking the flight to New York5. Checking into the hotel

TBLT

Introduce simple vocabulary helpful in the general topic, in this case, internation travel, such as:

Visa, passport, airplane, check luggage, carry-on, security, customs, reservation, nightlife, taxi, hotel, reception, room, air conditioning, check in

TBLT

Practice passive recognition of the vocabulary, for instance by showing pictures of the various things or actions and asking the entire class to call out what is shown.

Alternatively, students could work in pairs, showing each other pictures, and responding with the correct word.

TBLT

Begin to focus on a specific task, such as making a reservation at a hotel. Again, start with a more passive recognition exercise.

Example: a list of actions and dialogue is out of order; have the students place the events or speech acts into a logical order.

TBLT Introduce a grammar concept or structure

that will be useful in fulfilling a particular task, such as a hotel reservation.

For example: Explain using the verb “to want” plus another verb, versus using the verb “to want” with a noun.

“I want a room for two people.” “I want to check in Friday, February 20th.”

TBLT Practice the new structure, using the vocabulary

that already was introduced. Spiral up in difficulty.

You could continue with a fill-in-the-blank phone dialogue between a hotel receptionist and the student, who wishes to reserve a room.

Example: Receptionist: Hello, this is the Grand National, how may I help you?

Student: I ______ a room for two people, please.

Receptionist: What day do you ______ to arrive? (etc.)

TBLT

Continue to spiral up in complexity of task, while maintaining your focus on a realistic task.

In pairs, create a spoken exercise that would help prepare students for real-life task of checking into a hotel in New York. Share with the group.

Task-Based Learning & Teaching

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this method?

Communicative Approach

Communicative Approach Implementation Very compatible with TBLT, but more general in

its goals and exercises For instance, the same sort of process will be

used to introduce vocabulary and structures needed for a communicative act.

The communicative act might be much more general, such as “talking about family.”

Communicative Introduce family vocabulary as well as a list of

common adjectives used to describe people (do passive recognition practice and simple production practice, staying in the target language)

Introduce the the verb “to be” and its conjugation, without actually explaining the concept. Just model and provide examples. (do passive recognition practice and simple production practice, staying in the target language)

Communicative

Spiral up to an exercise in which students will ask each other specific questions, based on a model, but substituting from a list of adjectives.

Example: Question: “Is your mother _____? (happy, tall, blond, intelligent?” Answer: “Yes, my mother is _____.” or “No, my mother is not ____.”

Communicative Spiral up to more open-ended activities in which

students are encouraged to create new utterances using the vocabulary and structures. The focus is on real communication, getting the point across, and not on perfect grammar or pronunciation, etc.

In pairs, create a more open-ended activity in which students use family vocabulary, the verb “to be” and descriptive adjectives. Share with the group.

Communicative Approach

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this method?

Krashen-Second Language Acquisition theory

Krashen’s Hypotheses How Krashen influences work in the classroom Acquisition versus learning hypothesis-prioritize

real communication acts over explanations Monitor hypothesis-don’t over-correct or

suggest students need to be perfect Natural order hypothesis-don’t expect

integration before its natural time Input hypothesis-provide constant input just

above the level of full student comprehension Affective filter hypothesis-create a positive

learning environment

Krashen’s influence on you

How could you take one of Krashen’s ideas to change (even just a little) one activity you currently do in class or one lesson that you commonly teach?

Krashen

What are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing Krashen’s ideas?

A Blended Approach

Blended Approach

Implementation: How can we use elements from all the previously discussed methods to plan a unit on a doctor’s visit?

What would be our learning objectives? How would we structure a lesson plan for

a one-hour class period?

Blended (Eclectic) Approach

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this method?