Some Considerations Some Considerations When Teaching When Teaching

English in Today’s English in Today’s SettingsSettings

bpena@uniandes.edu.co

Let’s reflect about these ideas:

What are the most important issues when teaching English today?

About teachers?

About students?

About methodology?

About materials?

about evaluation?

About any other issues?

The word PEDAGOGY comes from the Greek παιδαγωγέω (paidagōgeō); in which παῖς (país, genitive παιδός, paidos) means "child" and άγω (ágō) means "lead"; so it literally means "to lead the child".

In Ancient Greece, παιδαγωγός was (usually) a slave who supervised the instruction of his master’s son. This involved taking him to school (διδασκαλεῖον) or a gym (γυμναστήριον), looking after him and carrying his equipment (e.g. music instruments).

Eurysaces with a Paidagogos

From vertical to horizontal

From teacher-centered instruction to learner-centered instruction

From teacher power to learner empowerment

.

METHOD TEACHERS’ ROLES

THE GRAMMAR TRANSLATION METHOD (GTM)

Teacher is the strict authority. Classes are teacher centred

THE DIRECT METHOD (DM) The teacher usually directs the interactions but he/she is not as dominant as in GTM. Sometimes acts like a partner of the students.

THE AUDIO-LINGUAL METHOD (ALM)

T is like an orchestra leader. S/he directs and controls the language behaviour of the students. T is a good model of the target language, especially for pronunciation and other oral skills. The differences between Sts’ L1 and L2 should be known by the teacher.

THE SILENT WAY (SW) (Caleb Gattegno)

The teacher is a technician or an engineer who facilitates learning. Only the learner can do learning. The teacher is aware of what the students already know and he/she can decide the next step. The teacher is silent. Silence is a tool because teacher's silence gives the responsibility to the student. Besides teacher's silence helps students monitor themselves and improve their own inner criteria.

METHOD TEACHERS’ ROLES

SUGGESTOPEDIA (Georgi Lazanov) Teacher is the authority. Learners learn better if they get the information from a reliable authority. Students must trust and respect that authority.

COMMUNITY LANGUAGE LEARNING (CLL)

T's initial role is that of a counsellor. The teacher tries to remove the threatening factors in the classroom. Even the teacher stands behind the students to reduce because the teacher's superior knowledge and his existence are also threatening factors.

THE TOTAL PHYSICAL RESPONSE METHOD (TPR)

Initially the teacher is the director of all student behaviour. In the later stages, the teacher is being directed.

THE COMMUNICATIVE APPROACH (CA)

The teacher is a facilitator of his/her students' learning. He/she is a manager of classroom activities. He/she acts as an advisor and monitors students' performance.

LEARNERS…. They take and create opportunities to use the

language The language learner uses the language at every available opportunity. They are forever seeking out opportunities both to use and to hear the language.

They practice what they have just acquired Many language learners practice in class, but few practice enough outside the classroom. The good language learner practices what they have just learnt as soon as possible. For example, while on bus or bicycle, they are going through in their mind what they have recently learnt in class by holding an imaginary conversation with someone.

They are willing to try anything in order to get their message across Many language students, if they don't know the correct word or phrase for what they wish to communicate, simply avoid the subject completely or use L1. The good language learner, possessing such a strong desire to communicate, is willing to try out different ways in order to get their message across.

They monitor their own speech Many language students are so bound up with getting their message across or trying to understand what the other person is trying to say that they learn little from the communication process. The good language learner, however, is firstly monitoring their own speech -- listening to themselves speak and noting how their speech is being received by their listeners (e.g. facial expressions, etc.). To them, such feedback is very important.

They are constantly looking for patterns in the language Many language learners absorb only what they are taught in class about the language; if the teacher or their textbook hasn't yet covered that point, they shut their minds to it. The good language learner is constantly analyzing, categorizing and synthesizing their new language.

They are a systematic organizer The poor language learner often lacks a planned and systematic approach to acquiring the language, and hence fails to reach a reasonable standard of performance. The good language learner, however, recognizing the magnitude of the task, sets down a plan of campaign, dividing their study program into attainable goals, and organizing regular times for study. Then they systematically record what they learn about the language -- whether pronunciation, grammar or vocabulary -- so that it is readily available for reference.

They are willing to experiment with different learning methods The good language learner tries out different approaches to acquiring the language, chooses those that work for them and discards the rest. They also note how other people learnt the language, trying out their methods to see if they are suitable for them.

They make errors work They recognize that errors are a part of the learning process itself and looks upon them as a potential source of information, as well as a way of improving their language skills. They not only note their errors, but also try to understand why they made them and how to avoid making them again in the future.

ECLECTICISM (Criteria, discipline,

pedagogical principles, individual learning differences, etc.)

SITUATIONAL TOTAL

PHYSICAL RESPONSE

NATURAL APPROACH

AUDIOLINGUALISM

SUGGESTOPEDIA

LANGUAGE COMMUNITY

GRAMMAR TRANSLATION

OTHERS

COMMUNICATIVE APPROACH

MultintelligenciaINTELLIGENCE TYPES AND

APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Intelligence Type Educational Activities

Linguisticlectures, worksheets,

word games, journals, debates

Logicalpuzzles, estimations,

problem solving

Spatialcharts, diagrams, graphic

organizers, drawing, films

Bodilyhands-on, mime, craft,

demonstrations

Musicalsinging, poetry, Jazz

Chants, mood music

Interpersonalgroup work, peer tutoring,

class projects

Intrapersonalreflection, interest

centers, personal values tasks

Naturalistfield trips, show and tell,

plant and animals

(Adapted from Christison, 1998)

MATERIALS… Does the material match learner objectives? Is the material learner-centered? Does the material facilitate interactive learning? Is the material socio-culturally appropriate? Is the material gender-sensitive? Is the material up-to-date? Are vocabulary and comprehensible input levels well-graded? Is the material age-appropriate? Is the material interesting and visually attractive? Is the material relevant to real life?

Evaluation Learners’ portfolioHewitt, G. (1993). Vermont’s portfolio-based writing assessment program

A brief history.

CRADLE is an acronym for six types of portfolios, used at various stages in the portfolio assessment process:

Collection portfolios are collections of student work; Reflection portfolios are those in which students

use the collected work to reflect on the learning process and to enhance their awareness of their learning styles and strengths;

Assessment portfolios are those in which students and teachers use the information in the portfolio as an alternative assessment tool;

Documentation portfolios serve as legal documents attesting to students’ achievement, and are maintained as part of the students’ permanent file;

Linkage portfolios are portfolios used to build communication networks among the school, home, and community, and between teachers of the student;

and Evaluationportfolios are portfolios that represent program and teaching characteristics by providing summative data for decision making.

Purpose? Advantages? Disadvantages? How to manage

both of them? Other remarks about

porfolios?

Thanks a lot and have a very good day!!!!