THE NATURE OF

LANGUAGE TEACHING

Peter D. Stevens

LLT Process is higly complex set of events •A student•A teacher•An organized framework•An institution

2 different LTL : •Inferior • superior Depending on the command of the language the learners achieve

The 4 principal components of the LLT process are :

THE COMMUNITY

THE LANGUAGE TEACHING PROFESSION

THE TEACHER

THE LEARNER

THE COMMUNITYDecides that tuition in such or such languages should be available : implies a choice in foreign language

A branch of gov’t mediates

It’s an integral part of educational provision , just one more subject

So, teachers are : Public servantsPaid by the communityTrained at the expense of communitySupported by community

There are 2 elements within The Community

The Public Will ,which languages should be taught Administration and organization ( A/O) , allocating funds, buildings , etc

THE PUBLIC WILL creates the level of expectation of achievement , highly related to MOTIVATION.

THE A/O LT depends on the Ministry of Education, which is a double edged “blessing” . Difference between INFERIOR and SUPERIOR LLT many times depends on A/O

THE LANGUAGE TEACHING PROFESSIONProfession as a discipline, like any other.It is also the set of principles by which teachers organize themselves. Teacher trainers : they mediate between contributory disciplines and school tasks and probs in the class

Instructor manipulates techniques and presents foreign language to students Teacher : good instructor + cherishes his students and recognizes their individuality as learners Educator : good teacher + is aware of the interrelations between the techniques , the contributory disciplines and the needs of society

THE TEACHER1- The Teacher: may or may not be present Minimum qualities of a teacher :Nondiscouraging personalityAdequate presentation skills as a teacher Upkeep adequate command of the language he teachesUpgrading of professionalism: dedication to learning and keep in touch with new techniques and development

2- Teacher Training : criteria for selection of aspirants and training : education , temperamental suitability and vocationInitial Training ( components of skills information and theory) and Further Training

3- Teaching

This is the element which has been given the most importance lately, but this is not unique

ApproachesMethodology ( use of techniques)Syllabus designMaterials production TestingTypes of teaching

4- Constraints

Low expectations of success by teacher, system, parents , etcUnattainable objectivesConfusion of aimsPhysical, organizationalor psychological constraints , generally mistakes in the O/A Insufficient timePoor materials not compensated by good teachersInadequate teacher trainingIncompetent class teaching and lack of interest in learners

THE LEARNERHe has a profile of characteristics which make him individual,different from other learners

DIFFERENCES: agewillingness to give time and effort special language abilities concentrationprevious linguistic experience general education experience self view as a language learner learning strategies level of expectations of success

CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESSUnwilling learners are unlikely to learn, while willing learners are likely to learn well.Enough learning should be providedExcellence in one area, can compensate with inadequacy in another

The 4 components are included in success:The Community positive attitude served by a helpful administrationThe Profession needs to provide teachers with support of all kinds The Teacher needs to display devolution toward his students ( and attitude, and vocation)

The Learner needs to be willing to learn

TASK for next class: Individual work Get the copies at La Cabaña, read them thoroughly and prepare 5 smart question to ask in class, and answer them in a separate paper.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Long, Michael H., Richards, Jack C, Methodology in TESOL, A Book of Readings , Heinly&Heinle Publishers, USA 1987