Tesol Theories

  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]

  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]

  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 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]

  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]

  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]

  Our next particular methodology is accredited to James Asher around 1965 and is called total physical response. Asher looked at the way in which we learn our native language and he saw that most children, before they even went to school, have picked up a very large percentage of both the grammar and the vocabulary that they would use in their native language before any type of formal schooling. So Asher started to have a look at ideas of how to use the whole of our brain in language learning in the way that we do when we're very young. It's accepted that within our brain there are two hemispheres, one is the left hemisphere the other is the right hemisphere, and one of the functions of the left hemisphere is language learning. One of the major functions of the right hemisphere is...  [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]

Do you want to be TEFL or TESOL-certified in Poland? Are you interested in teaching English in Szczecin, Poland? Check out our opportunities in Szczecin, Become certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language and start teaching English in your community or abroad! Teflonline.net offers a wide variety of Online TESOL Courses and a great number of opportunities for English Teachers and for Teachers of English as a Second Language. Here Below you can check out the feedback (for one of our units) of one of the 16.000 students that last year took an online course with ITTT! As we know, everybody has diferent ways of learning so that, we have to use all of the differents theories at the teaching moment. This content help us to know that we can do more things with our...  [Read more]

Do you want to be TEFL or TESOL-certified in India? Are you interested in teaching English in Faridabad, India? Check out our opportunities in Faridabad, Become certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language and start teaching English in your community or abroad! Teflonline.net offers a wide variety of Online TESOL Courses and a great number of opportunities for English Teachers and for Teachers of English as a Second Language. Here Below you can check out the feedback (for one of our units) of one of the 16.000 students that last year took an online course with ITTT! Theories, Methodologies and Techniques was the focus of this unit. The start of the unit talks about many theories used in the past and present. Then many examples of how to elicit language from...  [Read more]

TESOL courses cover a wide range of topics and skills that are essential for teaching English as a foreign language. These courses typically include modules on language teaching methodology, lesson planning, classroom management, language assessment, and second language acquisition theories. One of the key components of TESOL courses is learning about different teaching approaches and methodologies, such as communicative language teaching, task-based learning, and the use of technology in the classroom. Understanding these approaches helps teachers create engaging and effective lessons that cater to the needs of their students. Another important aspect of TESOL courses is lesson planning. Teachers learn how to design lessons that are well-structured, interactive, and focused on the...  [Read more]

When enrolling in a TESOL course, there are several key aspects you should expect to encounter throughout the program. TESOL, which stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, is designed to prepare individuals to effectively teach English language learners. These courses are typically offered in various formats, such as online, in-person, or hybrid models, and can range from a few weeks to several months in duration. One of the primary components of a TESOL course is theoretical knowledge. You can expect to learn about language acquisition theories, teaching methodologies, and linguistic principles that will form the foundation of your teaching practice. Understanding these theories will help you develop effective teaching strategies and adapt your approach to meet the...  [Read more]

A TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate can be extremely beneficial for teaching English to diverse populations. Here are some key points to consider: Firstly, a TESOL certificate provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively teach English to non-native speakers. It covers essential topics such as language acquisition theories, teaching methodologies, lesson planning, and assessment techniques. This training equips you with the tools to create engaging and interactive lessons that cater to the diverse needs and learning styles of your students. Additionally, a TESOL certificate demonstrates to employers and students that you have received formal training in teaching English as a foreign language. This can make you a more competitive...  [Read more]

Teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) certification is specialized training that equips educators with the skills and knowledge to teach English as a foreign language. While other teaching certifications may focus on specific subjects or age groups, TESOL certification is designed specifically for teaching English to non-native speakers. One key difference between TESOL certification and other teaching certifications is the focus on language acquisition and language teaching methodologies. TESOL courses cover topics such as linguistics, second language acquisition theories, classroom management techniques, and curriculum development for English language learners. Another important distinction is the target audience. TESOL certification is ideal for educators who want to...  [Read more]

Becoming a competent TESOL educator requires dedication, time, and effort. The timeline for achieving competency can vary depending on several factors such as prior teaching experience, educational background, and the intensity of the program you choose. On average, it can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to become a proficient TESOL educator. For individuals with a bachelor's degree in education or a related field, pursuing a TESOL certification can take as little as a few months. These intensive programs typically cover the essential theories and methodologies of teaching English as a second language and provide practical teaching experience through practicums or teaching observations. On the other hand, individuals without a teaching background may opt for a more...  [Read more]

TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and TEYL (Teaching English to Young Learners) certificates are both valuable credentials for English language teachers, but they cater to different audiences and focus on different teaching methodologies. TEYL certificates are specifically designed for teachers who work with young learners, typically ranging from preschool to primary school age. These certificates emphasize strategies and techniques that are effective in engaging and teaching children, such as using games, songs, and visual aids. TEYL courses also cover child development theories and classroom management skills tailored to younger students. On the other hand, TESOL certificates are more general and can be applied to teaching English to learners of all ages, including...  [Read more]

Do you want to be TEFL or TESOL-certified in France? Are you interested in teaching English in Bourg-en-Bresse, France? Check out our opportunities in Bourg-en-Bresse, Become certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language and start teaching English in your community or abroad! Teflonline.net offers a wide variety of Online TESOL Courses and a great number of opportunities for English Teachers and for Teachers of English as a Second Language. Here Below you can check out the feedback (for one of our units) of one of the 16.000 students that last year took an online course with ITTT! This unit covered the various theories associated with language learning in the past and their flaws, but also suggested theories and methods that may work for different situations. The...  [Read more]

A TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification can certainly be beneficial for individuals seeking a job in curriculum development within the field of English language teaching. While TESOL certification primarily focuses on preparing individuals to teach English as a foreign language, the skills and knowledge gained through such a program can be directly applicable to curriculum development roles. One key aspect of TESOL training is learning about language acquisition theories, pedagogical approaches, and curriculum design principles. These are essential components of developing effective language learning materials and programs. Understanding how students learn languages, the different methodologies and techniques used in language teaching, and how to design...  [Read more]