This article provides an insightful English language teaching summary, tracing its evolution from traditional methods to modern approaches. After exploring the English language teaching definition and its significance, we delve into the principles and practices that shape the teaching of English language worldwide.
This guide highlights the key milestones and emerging trends in ELT, catering to educators in general and teachers of English in particular.
Table of Contents
What is English Language Teaching?
English Language Teaching (ELT) refers to the practice and profession of teaching the English language to non-native speakers. It encompasses a variety of methods, techniques, and theories designed to facilitate language acquisition and communication skills.
ELT is often referred to as TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), TEFL (Teaching English as A Foreign Language), or ESL (English as a Second Language), depending on the context.
Let’s start with a brief history of ELT!
A Brief History of ELT
The adventure of English Language Teaching (ELT) is quite remarkable. From the early grammar-translation method to contemporary trends focusing on communication, ELT has drawn from a variety of theories and approaches, enriching the profession in numerous ways. Teachers have gained a deeper understanding of the nature of language and the most effective ways to teach it. As Brown (2000: ix) notes:
“Our research miscarriages are fewer as we have collectively learned how to conceive the right questions.”
1. The Evolution of Methods
A vast body of research has created a repository of resources, methodologies, approaches, and techniques. Over the centuries, tremendous changes have shaped both teaching and learning.
Initially, many methods emphasized structure, vocabulary, and memorization. However, educators and linguists soon grew dissatisfied with these methods, realizing that they lacked a critical element: communication. Students trained in structural approaches often struggled to communicate in real-world contexts. This gap led to the emergence of the communicative approach, designed to address these shortcomings.
While the communicative approach remains a cornerstone for many educators, recent years have brought even deeper insights into the profession. Beyond communication, ELT now encompasses broader concerns, such as:
- Competencies
- Multiple intelligences
- Civic education
- Information and communication technologies (ICT)
- Lifelong learning
- Job market skills and requirements
- Project work
- Alternative assessment
- Standards-based education
These changes reflect a global shift in the role of education in general and English language teaching in particular.
2. Modern Trends in ELT
Contemporary trends in ELT reject the rigid adoption of a single methodology. Instead, they emphasize achieving standards and outcomes that cater to the needs of all learners. The choice of method, approach, or technique becomes secondary to meeting these objectives. Key focuses include:
- Learner-centered approaches: Prioritizing the needs and interests of students.
- Authenticity: Using real-world materials and activities to enhance learning.
- Skill acquisition: Equipping students with lifelong learning and study skills.
- Job readiness: Preparing students to meet market demands.
3. Postmodern Method
The Postmodern Method in English Language Teaching (ELT) marks a shift away from rigid, traditional frameworks to a more flexible and inclusive approach. It emphasizes the diversity of learners’ experiences, cultural backgrounds, and learning styles, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all model.
Key features of the Postmodern Method include:
- Flexibility: Teachers adapt methods and materials to the unique needs of their students, rather than adhering strictly to a single methodology.
- Pluralism: Incorporating multiple perspectives and recognizing the validity of different teaching and learning paradigms.
- Critical Thinking: Encouraging learners to question and critically engage with content, fostering a deeper understanding.
- Learner Autonomy: Empowering students to take control of their learning process, making them active participants rather than passive recipients.
- Cultural Relevance: Using materials and approaches that reflect the learners’ cultural contexts while introducing global perspectives.
This approach aligns with modern educational goals, such as preparing students for the complexities of a globalized world, nurturing lifelong learning skills, and promoting equity and inclusion in education.
Why is ELT Important?
English is a global language, widely used for international communication in business, education, and diplomacy. Teaching English effectively ensures that learners can:
- Engage in global conversations.
- Access educational and professional opportunities.
- Bridge cultural gaps through language.
Definition of Key Terms
- Grammar Translation Method: An early approach to language teaching focused on translating texts and learning grammatical rules.
- Audiolingual Method: A method that emphasizes repetition, drills, and memorization of language patterns, often using dialogues to instill correct usage.
- Task-Based Instruction: A teaching approach where students learn by completing meaningful tasks that reflect real-world activities.
- Discovery Learning: A method that encourages students to learn through exploration, problem-solving, and discovering knowledge independently.
- Communicative Approach: A method emphasizing the ability to communicate effectively in real-life situations.
- Standards-Based Education: An educational approach that defines clear outcomes for all learners to achieve.
Looking Ahead
This article is part of a series delving into the key milestones of English Language Teaching (ELT). To explore more insights, methods, and trends in ELT, visit our Teaching Articles category for comprehensive coverage of the field.
Bibliography
- Brown, H. D. (2000). Principles of Language Learning and Teaching. New York: Longman.
