#98, Article: Sitcoms as a tool for ELT
ELTWeekly Vol. 3 Issue#98 | September 19 | ISSN 0975-3036 Subscribe to ELTWeekly (FREE) "English teachers have been using videos in the classroom for decades and, more recently DVDs and…
#98: Article: ‘Past Trends in English Language Teaching: How We Got to Where We Are’ by Larry M. Lynch
ELTWeekly Vol. 3 Issue#98 | September 19 | ISSN 0975-3036
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English Language Teaching and learning methodology and didactic approaches have been in an almost constant state of flux since the advent of the Grammar – Translation method documented by German-American anthropologist Franz Boas and the Danish linguist Otto Jespersen during the early 20th century. Each of the English language teaching and learning methodology and didactic approaches of past decades has contributed to the state of the art that now exists. Here are a few key contributors to ELT.
Past Trends in ELT
Approximately every decade a new approach or methodology comes into vogue. Audio-lingual method, TPR, Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), Direct method, the Natural approach and the Communicative approach have all had their heydays. As elements of Computer-Aided Language Learning (CALL) began to grow, the very need for human teachers came briefly into question. Suddenly, everyone wanted to get “plugged in” like the hero in the movie “Matrix” and learn everything instantly. From Piaget to Pimsleur, ever widening facets of language and learning have been ladled upon our world. Many theorists, linguists, language researchers, educational psychologists and a sea of teachers have contributed to our knowledge and understanding of the language teaching and learning processes. A few of the many major theories, events and trends which shaped ELT during past decades include: (more…)
#98: ‘Relevance Of Communication Skills In Linguistic Perspective’ by Dr. Sitaram Bhargava
ELTWeekly Vol. 3 Issue#98 | September 19 | ISSN 0975-3036
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Dr. Sitaram Bhargava works with the Department of English, Government College, Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan).
The use of communication skills has become very important in our lives.Without proper communication skills we are losers. Learning a second language is ,in fact, learning the four slills,viz. listening,speaking,reading and writing. The first two skills are intimately related to each other , though one is a recognition skill and the other is a production skill. Also, both skills depend almost entirely on the learner’s knowledge of the pronunciation of words and the articulation of sounds in the language. Language is a means of communicating thoughts and feelings,though not only the means. Cries ,signs,gestures,pictorial representations,etc.,also serves as a means.Animals other than human beings too communicate with another. They employ a variety of methods including vocal signals and body movements as well as facial expressions like the baring of teeth. They stimulate one another to action by means of cries. Many birds utter warning calls at the approach of danger ; some animals make mating calls. Most of the animals utter cries that are expressive of anger, fear pleasure ,etc. But these modes of communication differ from human language. The sound or cries made by animals are not articulate. That is to say, they lack the kind of structure that enables us to divide a human utterance into words; a human language is a signaling system which uses vocal sounds and is based on man’s ability to speak.The written language is derivative and secondary;it is derived from the spoken language.The basis of language is speech which in turn means the production of meaningful sounds according to a system. (more…)