The Evolution of Language Teaching and Communicative Approaches

Vocabulary flashcards covering the historical evolution of foreign language teaching methods, humanistic approaches, and present-day communicative trends.

Eclecticism

The practice of taking the best elements from each teaching method to respond effectively to students' diverse needs.

RD 217/2022 and Decree 107/2022

National legislation and regional decree that provide clear guidelines concerning the methods and resources that should be present in the classroom.

1784 Harvard Chair

The year and institution where the first chair of modern languages was established.

Approach

The theoretical framework and set of beliefs about how languages are acquired.

Method

The practical and systematic classroom application of an approach.

Procedure

An ordered sequence of techniques within a method, such as a series of drills.

Technique

A specific, individual classroom activity implemented within a method, such as a role-play.

Faculty psychology

The theoretical basis of the Grammar-Translation Method, which held that the mind could be trained through repetition and mental discipline.

The Grammar-Translation Method (1850s-1950s)

A traditional teaching method where grammar was taught as rules, vocabulary was learned via bilingual lists, and the mother tongue was used to attain reading and writing proficiency.

The Direct Method

An approach reacting against Grammar-Translation that modeled first-language acquisition by teaching solely in the target language through pictures, visual aids, and repetition without grammar rules or translation.

The Audio-Lingual Method (1960s-1970s)

A methodology originating in World War II's Army Specialized Training Programme based on structural linguistics and behaviourism, characterised by repetition and choral drilling.

Structural linguistics

A linguistic theory underpinning the Audio-Lingual Method that conceptualises language as a formal system of sounds, word forms, and sentence patterns.

Behaviourist theory

A learning theory stating that learning consists of forming habits through a cycle of stimulus, response, and reinforcement.

Suggestopedia

A humanistic approach created by Georgi Lozanov asserting that positive suggestion, music, dialogues, and a comfortable environment enhance learner receptivity.

The Silent Way

A method developed by Caleb Gattegno promoting learner autonomy and problem-solving through physical objects such as coloured sticks, while the teacher remains silent as much as possible.

Community Language Learning

A humanistic method originated by Charles Curran based on counselling psychology, featuring non-competitive circular seating, trust-building, and feelings reflection sessions.

Total Physical Response (TPR)

A method designed by James Asher where language acquisition mirrors childhood development through physical movement in response to teacher commands without translation.

The Natural Approach

A methodology formulated by Stephen Krashen highlighting comprehensible input, respecting the silent period, lowering the affective filter, and distinguishing acquisition from learning.

Acquisition vs. Learning

Krashen's distinction between language acquisition, which is subconscious and lasting, and language learning, which is conscious and rule-based.

Affective filter

A psychological and emotional barrier that teachers must lower by maintaining a relaxed classroom atmosphere to allow comprehensible input to be acquired.

Silent period

A stage in Krashen's Natural Approach during which learners absorb language input before they begin to speak.

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)

An approach focused on communicative competence that prioritises fluency over perfection, organizes syllabi by language functions, and treats errors as a normal part of learning.

Active methodologies

Dynamic, learner-centred approaches promoting active participation, critical thinking, and collaboration, exemplified by Task-Based Language Teaching, CLIL, and Project-Based Learning within the LOMLOE framework.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

An inclusive educational framework offering multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement for all students in the classroom.

Eclecticism

The practice of taking the best elements from each teaching method to respond effectively to students' diverse needs.

RD 217/2022

National legislation that establishes clear guidelines regarding the methods and resources that should be present in the foreign language classroom.

Decree 107/2022

A regional decree providing explicit guidelines regarding classroom methodology and resources.

First chair of modern languages

An academic chair established at Harvard in 1784, marking a historical milestone in modern language education.

Approach

The theoretical framework concerning how languages are acquired.

Method

The practical application of a theoretical language approach.

Procedure

A planned sequence of techniques within a method, such as a series of drills.

Technique

A specific, single classroom activity implemented within a method, such as a role-play.

Grammar-Translation Method

A traditional teaching method dominant from the 1850s to the 1950s that taught grammar through rules and vocabulary via translated word lists using the mother tongue, prioritizing reading and writing over oral communication.

Faculty psychology

The psychological theory underpinning the Grammar-Translation Method, which held that the mind could be trained through repetition and mental discipline.

Direct Method

A method that reacted against Grammar-Translation by mimicking how infants acquire their native language; it excluded the mother tongue, avoided formal grammar rules and translation, and focused on listening and speaking using repetition and visual aids.

Audio-Lingual Method

A method developed in the 1960s and 1970s based on structural linguistics and behaviourist theory, characterized by extensive repetition, choral drilling, and the early use of technology such as language laboratories.

Army Specialized Training Programme

A World War II military training programme designed to teach soldiers foreign languages rapidly, serving as the origin of the Audio-Lingual Method.

Structural linguistics

A linguistic foundation of the Audio-Lingual Method that conceptualizes language as an organized system of sounds, word forms, and sentence patterns.

Behaviourist theory

A learning theory asserting that language learning is the formation of habits through stimulus, response, and reinforcement.

Suggestopedia

A humanistic approach developed by Georgi Lozanov asserting that positive suggestion, comfortable environments, relaxing music, and parent-child-like rapport enhance learner receptivity.

Georgi Lozanov

The creator of Suggestopedia who proposed that positive suggestion helps learners acquire languages more effectively.

The Silent Way

A humanistic approach developed by Caleb Gattegno focused on discovery learning, problem-solving, and learner autonomy, wherein the teacher speaks as little as possible and employs physical objects such as coloured sticks.

Caleb Gattegno

The creator of The Silent Way, who emphasized learner autonomy, discovery through problem-solving, and the use of coloured sticks.

Community Language Learning

A humanistic approach developed by Charles Curran derived from counselling psychology, where learners sit in a non-competitive circle with the teacher acting as a supportive facilitator.

Charles Curran

The developer of Community Language Learning who applied counselling psychology principles to language education to emphasize collaboration and trust.

Total Physical Response

An approach created by James Asher based on the principle that children listen and react with movement before speaking; teachers issue commands and students respond with physical actions without translation.

James Asher

The originator of Total Physical Response (TPR), which links language acquisition to physical action and imperative commands.

The Natural Approach

A methodology formulated by Stephen Krashen differentiating conscious learning from subconscious acquisition, relying on comprehensible input, a low affective filter, and tolerance for an initial silent period.

Stephen Krashen

The linguist who developed the Natural Approach and introduced concepts such as the acquisition-learning distinction, comprehensible input, and the affective filter.

Acquisition (Krashen)

The subconscious, lasting process of picking up a language naturally, distinguished from conscious, rule-based learning.

Comprehensible input

Language input provided slightly above the learner's current linguistic capability, made understandable via visual, gestural, and audio aids.

Affective filter

An emotional barrier that hinders language acquisition, which teachers seek to lower by establishing a relaxed, supportive environment.

Silent period

An initial phase in language acquisition recognized by the Natural Approach during which learners process speech before producing verbal responses.

Communicative Language Teaching

A dominant modern approach created as a reaction to the Audio-Lingual Method that focuses on communicative competence, prioritizes fluency over formal perfection, organizes syllabi by language functions, and views errors as natural learning events.

Active methodologies

Dynamic, learner-centred teaching practices—such as Task-Based Language Teaching, CLIL, and Project-Based Learning—that promote collaboration, participation, and critical thinking linked to LOMLOE learning situations.

Universal Design for Learning

An inclusive educational framework providing multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement to support learners of mixed abilities and diverse needs.