Share General Didactics - Approaches & Methods - Part 1
Save to Folder
Theory of Language: Language is a system of grammatical rules and structures, arranged hierarchically. Approach? Theory of Learning?
The Structural Approach / Learning is a mechanical process of habit formation. Through repetition and drills, new patterns are ingrained and become automatic.
Theory of Language: Language is both a system of rules and a tool for communication. It can be broken down into discrete parts. Approach? Theory of Learning?
Presentation, Practice, Production (PPP) / Learning is a cognitive process that follows a three-stage sequence: understanding, applying, and then creating.
Theory of Language: Language is for communication, and its meaning is negotiated between speakers. Accuracy is secondary to fluency. Approach? Theory of Learning?
Communicative Approaches / Learning occurs through real- world communication and collaboration. It's a social process where learners construct meaning.
Theory of Learning: Learning is about how language is used to achieve a specific communicative purpose. Students learn by using language in realistic social scenarios. Approach? Theory of Language?
The Functional Approach / Language is a tool for social interaction and communication. Its primary purpose is to enable people to perform a task.
Theory of Learning: Learning is a cognitive, inductive process. Students actively analyze examples and figure out the rules for themselves. Approach? Theory of Language?
Guided Discovery / Language is a system of rules that can be logically deduced by the learner, not just received from the teacher.
The primary objective is accuracy. The design is a highly linear progression from simple to complex grammatical points. Approach? Mention & Describe Syllabus involved
The Structural Approach / Grammatical Syllabus. The curriculum is organized by grammatical structures (e.g., simple present, past tense, future).
The objective is to achieve accuracy in the first two stages and fluency in the final stage. The design is a three-part lesson. Approach? Mention & Describe Syllabus involved
Presentation, Practice, Production (PPP) / Typically a Grammatical or Lexical/Functional Syllabus (combination of structural, functional & lexical elements).
The main objective is to enable learners to perform a specific communicative function (e.g., making a request, giving an opinion). The design is task- oriented. Approach? Mention & Describe Syllabus involved.
The Functional Approach / A Functional Syllabus. The curriculum is organized by communicative functions.
The main objective is to develop communicative competence and fluency. The design is a process-oriented or task-based curriculum. Approach? Mention & Describe Syllabus involved.
Communicative Approaches / A Task-based or Thematic Syllabus. The curriculum is organized around real-world tasks or broad topics ("travel," "the environment")
The objective is to develop learners' analytical skills and promote a deeper understanding of language rules. Approach? Mention & Describe Syllabus involved.
Guided Discovery / A Grammatical or Lexical Syllabus, but the rules are presented implicitly.
Activities: Drills (substitution, transformation), and the memorization of dialogues. Approach? Procedure & Materials?
The Structural Approach / The procedure is highly controlled and teacher-led. Materials are typically textbooks with patterned drills and audio recordings.
Activities: Controlled practice (gap- fills, substitution drills) and then freer practice (role- plays, information gaps, debates). Approach?
Presentation, Practice, Production (PPP)
Activities: Role-plays, simulations, and problem-solving tasks that mimic real-life situations. Approach?
The Functional Approach
Activities: Information Gap Activities, group projects, surveys, and collaborative problem- solving tasks, authentic material use. Approach?
Communicative Approaches
Activities: Analysis of texts to find patterns, grammar puzzles, and the sorting and categorizing of sentences. Approach?
Guided Discovery
Learner: A passive recipient and imitator. The learner follows instructions and repeats patterns to form correct habits. Approach? / Teacher's roles?
The Structural Approach / Teacher: A controller and model. The teacher presents the language and leads the drills.
