ESL ORIENTATIONS AND METHODS

1
ESL ORIENTATIONS AND METHODS

• Based on Freeman, Y. S., Freeman, D. E. (1998).
  ESL/EFL teaching Principles for success.
  Portsmouth, NH Heinemann.

2
English Language Teaching Orientations

• Grammar-Based Orientation
• Communicative Orientation
• Empiricist Orientation
• Rationalist Orientation
• Sociopsycholinguistic Orientation

3
Grammar-Based Orientation

• Grammar Translation Method
• Study grammar and vocabulary
• Develop ability to translate between English and
  the students primary language

4
Communicative Orientation

• Direct Method
• Associations between objects/concepts and the
  corresponding English words
• Lessons organized around topics (body parts,
  food, clothing)
• Primary focus on spoken language

5
Empiricist Orientation

• Audiolingual Method
• Dialogues that include a particular structural
  pattern
• Exercises based on the dialogue
• Emphasis on development of oral language
• Notional-Functional Approach
• How languages express specific notions (time,
  space) and specific functions (greetings,
  apologies)
• Widely used in ESL/EFL settings with adult
  learners
• Suggestopedia
• Eliminate psychological barriers to language
  learning
• Comfortable setting, music, yoga breathing
• Teacher decides on material to present

6
Rationalist Orientation

• The Silent Way
• Teacher is silent most of the time (models an
  expression only once), color-coded rods
• Students work together to develop own internal
  understanding of the language
• Community Language Learning
• Teachers serve as counselors to facilitate
  learning
• Teacher/students form a learning community to
  lower defenses and encourage open communication
• Curriculum comes from students
• Teacher translates into English what student
  wants to say

7
Rationalist Orientation (continued)

• Total Physical Response
• Involves muscles as well as the mind
• Students respond to commands that become
  progressively more complex
• The Natural Approach
• Acquisition occurs in a natural order when
  students receive comprehensible input
• Teachers must make instruction comprehensible
• Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach
• Designed to teach content to second language
  learners
• Students learn English through an organized
  approach to content area materials needed in the
  regular classroom
• Students use cognitive, metacognitive, and
  social-affective strategies

8
Sociopsycholinguistic Orientation

• Problem Posing
• Teacher listens to students to identify a problem
  that concerns them
• Students meet in small groups to discuss a code
  (e.g., a picture depicting the problem)
• Students use the target language (English) to
  pose the problem and plan social action for a
  solution
• Content-Based Language Teaching
• A dual approach to teach English through content
• Teacher must be aware of both the academic and
  the language needs of their students
• Depending on English proficiency and academic
  preparation, teacher will focus more on either
  language or the academic subject

9
ESL Principles for SuccessFreeman Freeman
(1998)

• Learning goes from whole to part.
• Classes should be learner-centered.
• Learning should be meaningful and purposeful.
• Learning takes place in social interaction.
• Reading, writing, speaking, and listening all
  develop together.
• Lessons should support students first languages
  and cultures.
• Faith in the learner expands learning potential.