Deerton, Michigan TESOL Online & Teaching English Jobs

This unit lists out the 10 most common methods and techniques to produce best result in teaching and learning English. I personally want to divide these 10 methods into 2 groups as followings: 1. Old-fashion/less effective methods: + Grammar - translation: the students don't get a "natural language input" that will really help them to acquire the language, and the teacher needs to be proficient in the students' language. + Audio - lingualism: this method is not appropriate to apply for high-level students, where more complicated structures and topics are required. + Presentation, Practice and Production: this method might become too "teacher-centred", and less effective with higher level students. + Task-Based Learning: with this method, the students can be fluent in English, but lack accuracy. This is when the incorrect habits of using the language have already been ingrained in the students. It would take a lot of time and effort to fix these habits before the students can move on to the advanced level of the language learning. If the students' purpose of learning English is to be able to blend in an English-speaking and highly professional environment, this method of learning will definitely defeat the purpose. + Communicative Language Teaching: In my opinion, the outcome of this method is not much different from that of the Task-Based Learning method. + The silent way: With the silence from the teacher, students might likely approach the lessons from a wrong angle while there is no explanation provided by the teacher. Incorrect habits of using English may be formed when there is a lack of feedback/correction from the teacher. + The Lexical approach: Grammatical accuracy is a part of advanced English level. This method tends to neglect this element of the language, which means that the students will find difficulties entering into the advanced level. 2. My preferable methods: + Community Language Learning: this method helps the students to have a delight in studying the new lesson/topic because it is their own choice, therefore they will be more engaged in the class. At the same time, the teacher's input when language problems arise during the discussion will prevent wrong habits of using the language from forming in the students. However, the teacher will likely feel stressed and unprepared sometimes when facing unpredictable request from the students. + Suggestopaedia: I totally agree with the idea that the learning will be more effective if the students taking the lesson feel comfortable, confident and relaxed. Students have a chance to review their previous lesson, get explanation of the new lesson from the teacher, and also be able to talk in the class during the discussion section. However, this method will require the teacher to be a good monitor and organizer when applied to younger students, otherwise, the class might go wild with the students' misbehavior. + Engage, Study and Activate (ESA): this method allows students to be motivated, be exposed to the language and have the opportunity to use it while going through the stages required. I really think that the students will get the most benefits from this method. The given ideas of activities to do in different stages of ESA method are very helpful to me. They help the class to be interesting, flexible, and engaging, not only to the students but also to the teacher. I also appreciate the instruction of What, When and How to give feedback/corrections. I used to believe that serious mistakes/errors should be corrected immediately, yet now I have learnt that it is an art to give correction in a way which doesn't discourage the students.