METHODOLOGIES, METHODS AND APPROACHES

Samantha Simoens

English Coordinator

I.E.B.P. “Little Angels”

What is a…

Methodology

Method

Approach

Methodology

The study of pedagogical practices in general (including theoretical underpinnings and related research). Whatever considerations are involved in "how to teach" are methodological.

Method A generalized set of classroom

specifications for accomplishing linguistic objectives. Methods tend to be primarily concerned with teacher and student roles and behaviors and secondarily with such features as linguistic and subject-matter objectives, sequencing, and materials. They are almost always thought of as being broadly applicable to a variety of audiences in a variety of contexts.

Approach

Theoretical positions and beliefs about the nature of language, the nature of language learning, and the applicability of both to pedagogical settings.

Some Extra Terms to Consider

Curriculum/Syllabus

Designs for carrying out a particular language program. Features include a primary concern with the specification of linguistic and subject-matter objectives, sequencing, and materials to meet the needs of a designated group of learners in a defined context.

Technique

Any of a wide variety of exercises, activities, or devices used in the language classroom for realizing lesson objectives.

Principles in Language Teaching

Cognitive

Affective Linguistic

Cognitive

Automaticity

Meaningful Learning

Anticipation of Rewards

Intrinsic Motivation

Strategic Investment

Linguistic

Native Language Effect

Inter-language Communicative

Competence

Affective

Language Ego

Self-Confidence

Risk-Taking

Language-Culture

Connection

Recommendations Be a risk-taker and see errors as an essential,

positive part of the learning process;

See peers (i.e., your fellow teachers) as sources of learning, who may or may not be "right";

See learning as a cooperative and collaborative exercise, not a competitive one;

Try to take responsibility for your own learning, set your own goals and develop strategies to achieve them.

It is a good idea to keep your own teaching "journal", listing the techniques you try and how effective they were in application to various learners and language items. This in fact equates to classroom Action Research