Unit 15

Approaches to language teaching

   I am going to start with the meaning of approaches to language teaching and it may refer to our view of language and our view of how language learning takes place. Also it refers to the ways or methods of teaching that we use in the classroom and that are based on these views.

   Supporters of communicative approaches, for example, believe that language is a tool to communicate meaning, and that, generally speaking, we learn language best by using it in communicative activities that focus on fluency.

   The best approach to use depends on who learners are and what teaching conditions are. Consider learner’s age, level of English, motivation to learn, expectations of learning, previous learning experience. However, if you are constantly changing your methods and approaches, your learners may become confused and begin to think that you are not very sure of your teaching style. It is important to mix techniques in a way which is coherent, so that all activities develop well out of the one another and work towards the lesson’s aims.