Instructional Methods & Pedagogical Approaches

Grammar-Translation Method

An old-school approach focusing on reading, translating, and learning explicit grammar rules; little to no emphasis on speaking.

Direct Method

Emphasizes immersion; teaching is conducted entirely in the target language without translation.

Audiolingual Method (ALM)

Based on behaviorist principles; utilizes structural drills, repetition, and habit formation to teach language.

Total Physical Response (TPR)

A method linking language learning to physical movement (e.g., the teacher says "stand up" and students stand up); highly effective for absolute beginners.

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)

Focuses on interaction, authentic communication, and real-world task completion rather than rote grammar rules.

Sheltered Instruction (SIOP)

A model that integrates language and content instruction simultaneously, making grade-level academic content accessible to ELLs.

Phonemic Awareness

The ability to notice, think about, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words.

Phonics

The relationship between letters (graphemes) and sounds.

Sight Words

High-frequency words that students are encouraged to recognize instantly without decoding phonetically (e.g., the, of, said).

Tier 1 Vocabulary

Basic, everyday conversational words (e.g., dog, happy, run).

Tier 2 Vocabulary

High-utility, academic words found across multiple subject areas (e.g., analyze, evaluate, contrast, evidence).

Tier 3 Vocabulary

Domain-specific, low-frequency words unique to a particular subject (e.g., photosynthesis, isotope, parabola).

Realia

Real-world, concrete objects used as instructional aids to provide context (e.g., bringing a real apple and knife to a lesson about fractions).