Online Teaching Methods

  Before looking at the methods or approaches themselves, there are some terms that we need to define. These are the approach, the method or the technique. Basically, these are hierarchical. The approach is an overriding set of principles that a method can actually make use of, whereas the technique are the things that we actually do in the classroom to approach that method. So, these three words are going to appear during the presentation. Again, for each of either the approaches all the methodologies we're going to ask four questions. So be it an approach or a method for each of those things: Where did it come from? What's its background? What does it involve when we're talking about actually in the classroom, in other words techniques? What is positive about it? What appears to...  [Read more]

We will take a roughly historical perspective as we look through the different methodologies for teaching English, from ancient past to current day. Named after the method used to teach the “classical languages” of ancient Greek and Latin and is often called grammar translation. There is a heavy focus on grammar such as verb conjugations and language rules. Also called the “natural approach” which is intended to copy the way we learn our native language naturally. As such, only the target language is used and the emphasis is on speaking and listening. As the name implies the two major components of this methodology are; audio (listen) and lingual (speak), so the method makes use of different types of drills to reinforce language structures. The focus is on using the target...  [Read more]

  "In terms of the things that are negative about it, we've already said that it doesn't develop speaking but perhaps the biggest negative point about this particular methodology is that it's very unnatural. Ok, so despite the criticisms of this particular method, and particularly the fact that is unnatural, this particular methodology was in use all the way through the 17th, 18th and 19th century and indeed it's still in use today. However, Gouin in the 1880s and Berlitz in the early 1900s decided that this particular methodology was so unnatural that they wanted to come up with something new. The method that they came up with, they called the direct method. You will also sometimes see it as the natural method. What these two people were saying is that if we wish to learn a...  [Read more]

  This presentation is going to focus on the theories, methods and techniques of teaching and we're going to start with a quote. This is an interesting quotation because it contains within it a philosophical argument and it's a philosophical argument in the way in which we learn. Basically, this one is saying that the intelligence of their own children comes about due to a natural process. So this one could be said to be due to nature. This is exactly the opposite of this one, which is saying that they're teaching the environment that we create, creates that intelligence. So this one can be said to be due to nurture and this argument 'nature versus nurture' has been going on for thousands of years. These two viewpoints are two ends of a scale, or a continuum if you like, and every...  [Read more]

When creating your TESOL teaching methods, it is essential to consider various key components to ensure effective instruction and learning outcomes. Here are some important elements to include in your approach: 1. **Language Skills**: Incorporate activities and exercises that cater to the development of all four language skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Provide a balanced approach that allows students to practice and improve in each area. 2. **Cultural Awareness**: Integrate cultural content into your lessons to help students understand the cultural context in which the language is used. This can include incorporating cultural references, customs, and traditions in your teaching materials. 3. **Communicative Approach**: Emphasize the importance of communication in...  [Read more]

Becoming proficient in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) methods is a journey that varies for each individual. The time it takes to become proficient depends on several factors, including prior experience, education level, dedication to professional development, and the specific context in which you are teaching. For those new to TESOL, obtaining a TESOL certification can provide a solid foundation in teaching methods, language acquisition theories, and practical classroom strategies. These programs typically range from 120 to 150 hours of coursework and can be completed in a few months either online or in person. However, true proficiency in TESOL teaching methods is more than just completing a certification program. It requires ongoing professional development,...  [Read more]

To prepare for teaching English in a corporate setting, there are several key steps you can take to ensure success. First and foremost, it is important to understand the specific needs and goals of the company or organization you will be working with. This will help you tailor your lessons to focus on relevant vocabulary, phrases, and communication skills that are useful in a business environment. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the industry or sector in which the company operates. This will allow you to incorporate industry-specific language and scenarios into your lessons, making them more engaging and relevant for your students. In terms of lesson planning, be sure to include a mix of speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities to cater to different learning styles...  [Read more]

Becoming proficient in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) methods can vary depending on several factors. These factors include your prior experience in teaching, your dedication to learning and practicing TESOL methods, the intensity of your TESOL training program, and the level of proficiency you wish to achieve. For individuals with no prior teaching experience, it typically takes around 120-150 hours of TESOL training to become proficient in basic TESOL methods. This level of training is often sufficient for teaching English to beginner and intermediate English language learners. If you aim to become proficient in advanced TESOL methods or to specialize in teaching specific groups of English language learners, such as young learners or business professionals, you...  [Read more]

Yes, TESOL teachers can certainly teach English for Specific Purposes (ESP). ESP is a specialized branch of English language teaching that focuses on teaching English in a specific context, such as business, tourism, medicine, or law. TESOL teachers who have the necessary qualifications and experience can adapt their teaching methods and materials to meet the specific needs of students who are studying English for a particular purpose. When teaching ESP, TESOL teachers need to have a deep understanding of the language skills and communication strategies required in the specific field. They should be able to tailor their lessons to the vocabulary, grammar, and communication styles relevant to that particular industry or profession. For example, a TESOL teacher who is teaching English for...  [Read more]

To enhance your TESOL teaching methods, there are several strategies and techniques you can implement. First, consider incorporating a variety of teaching methodologies into your lessons. This can include the use of communicative language teaching, task-based learning, and the flipped classroom approach. By diversifying your teaching methods, you can cater to different learning styles and keep your students engaged. Additionally, utilize technology in your lessons to make them more interactive and dynamic. This can involve incorporating multimedia resources, using online platforms for homework assignments, and integrating educational apps and games into your curriculum. Technology can help create a more immersive learning experience for your students and provide them with valuable...  [Read more]

  Also in the 1970s la señal came up with a new methodology called "Suggestopedia". As psychological theory was developing, one of the ideas that came up was something called ?the effective filter?. Basically, the effective filter is a barrier to learning. It's the reasons why we inhibit our learning of a particular language. There are two main elements to the effective filter, two sets of factors, if you like, those are known as internal and external factors. The external factors to learning, the reasons why we have barriers to learning, may be just simple things such as external noise. So, people talking to us while we're trying to learn and so on and so forth. Perhaps more important are these internal factors and the internal factors one of the main things here is our previous...  [Read more]

  The purpose of grammar translation then is to basically translate between L1 and L2 and vice versa. So, we could take a simple example. Let's imagine that our native language was English and our target language was French and let's assume that we want to translate a document from French into English. Let's take a simple sentence. Here's a sentence in French "Ouvre la fenêtre" and we'll add "s'il vous plaît" at the end. What we want to do is to take this L2 and translate it back into English. Now, if we have a reasonable knowledge of French then we may well know that this particular verb "ouvre" "to open" translates directly and this female form of the and finally the fenêtre "Open the window" and this polite form of "please". This is all very well if the two structures that...  [Read more]

When selecting a TESOL course that suits your learning style, it is important to consider several factors to ensure a successful and enriching experience. TESOL courses vary in their format, content, and delivery methods, so taking the time to assess your own learning preferences can help you make an informed decision. Firstly, consider the format of the course. TESOL courses can be offered in a traditional classroom setting, online, or through a combination of both (hybrid). If you prefer face-to-face interactions and real-time feedback from instructors, a traditional classroom course might be the best fit for you. On the other hand, if you require flexibility in terms of scheduling and location, an online course may be more suitable. Secondly, evaluate the content of the course....  [Read more]

When choosing a TESOL course that aligns with your personal interests and career plans, there are several factors to consider. The first step is to determine your goals and aspirations in the field of teaching English as a foreign language. Are you looking to teach English abroad or in your home country? Do you have a specific age group or level of students you are interested in teaching? Understanding your objectives will help you narrow down the options and find a course that best suits your needs. Next, consider the accreditation of the TESOL course. Look for programs that are recognized by reputable organizations such as TESL Canada, Cambridge English, or the British Council. Accredited courses are more likely to provide high-quality instruction and valuable certification that will be...  [Read more]

TESOL trainees taking our classroom based course will be provided with a course manual that covers the following areas: Our TESOL materials are high quality and will be the basis for the input sessions throughout the course. You will also find the materials a valuable reference for your future career. We will provide you with materials and a course handbook in an A4 folder which should be organized in the following way: This course log book will allow you to keep a record of your progress throughout the course, so should be kept professional in appearance. Your log will be inspected weekly for your own benefit and moderation purposes. You will receive numerous handouts throughout the course and will be required to make notes of your own also. We suggest you make separate files in your...  [Read more]

  So let's take an example of what those drills might involve. So here is an example of a repetition drill. I will model the language and then my class will repeat after me. So "This is a cup." "Spoon" ? "This is a spoon." "Knife" - "his is a knife." Thank you. The reason that it's called or also called the army method is that it was the method adopted by the United States military who had personnel stationed around the world at the end of Second World War and they realized that they needed those personnel to pick up the language very quickly and one of the positive things about this particular methodology is that you do very quickly learn vocabulary. Another positive thing about it is that you quickly learn the correct pronunciation of that vocabulary. However, there are some...  [Read more]

  So what we're going to do is to run through a series of methodologies that were created mainly in the 1900s that adopted the idea that language learning should be much more communicative, much more natural. The first one is called audiolingualism and it's also called the army method because of where it was developed. Basically, psychology, during the 1950s and 60s, was building up new theories about behaviorism. Perhaps the most famous experiments that were done in this particular area were by Pavlov, where he was showing that most animals undergo a stimulus response mechanism and he had a series of famous experiments, where by ringing a bell, he could cause a dog to salivate, that would be his response, in the expectation of getting some food. This behaviorist idea of stimulus...  [Read more]

  Before we move on to the final methodology for today, let's just recap and see where we are at this point in time. We're looking at different learning methodologies. Each of those methodologies takes its premise from being somewhere on this particular spectrum of ?nature versus nurture? and where we are on this spectrum gives us a starting point for the background or theory to that particular methodology. So, we?ve had a look starting in the 17th century and the classical method and moving on as the ideas of psychology developed to various methods, such as audiolingualism, the silent way, Suggestopedia and TPR. Each of these showing a development as knowledge about learning increased and each of these takes a different starting point on our English spectrum. Below you can read...  [Read more]

  Our final methodology is accredited to Jeremy Harmer and it's known by the letters ESA. Around 1998, Jeremy Harmer produced a book called "How to teach English" and basically what Harmer did, is a background to this book is to do what we have done today and to work through all of the different methodologies that have come about over the last 300 years. He highlighted for each of those methodologies what was good about it, what was positive and what didn't appear to work and then put all of the positive things into a melting pot and came out with this methodology, which he called ESA. It's a three-stage methodology, where each of the letters represents a particular phase of the lesson. The first one being called the engage phase, the second the study phase and the final one the...  [Read more]

When teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), it is essential for teachers to be culturally sensitive and aware of the diverse backgrounds of their students. Handling cultural differences in the classroom requires a combination of strategies and approaches to create an inclusive and respectful learning environment. One key aspect of addressing cultural differences in TESOL is to promote cultural awareness and understanding among students. Teachers can incorporate activities, discussions, and materials that highlight various cultures, traditions, and customs to foster mutual respect and appreciation among students. Another important strategy is to adapt teaching methods and materials to cater to the diverse learning styles and preferences of students from different cultural...  [Read more]