Discussion Board #4
Audio-Lingual Method:
Scholar who developed it:
The text doesn’t specify but a quick Google search revealed that Leonard Bloomfield, Charles Fries, and later Robert Lado were the principal developers.
2-3 strengths
Students recognize gramatical patterns through repetition and association.
Students are able to identify audible and visual stimuli and responde orally to it (new vocabulary is learn orally and discrimination of minimal pairs)
It allows the students to create their own meanings of words through visual support and association.
2-2 weaknesses
The students’ lack of understanding of some gramatical rules may confuse them, preventing them from maybe understanding the correct time and tense to use in a specific sitaution.
Maybe I am misunderstanding this, but there was no mention of written aid for the students in this method, this can somewhat make it hard for some students to remember the content or study.
Recognizing patterns in grammar may become a challenge for the student because real English language is fluid and constantly changing, especially if we consider the presence of slang and the use of idioms. This can prevent the student from learning how to use the language creatively and fluently and instead strictly adhering to its prescriptive use.
Would you like to learn a language using this method? Explain.
Yeah, but not entirely. This is personal preference, but this method kind of lets some things to unclear for students, which I personally I don’t like. I know that there are some things in language learning that we are not able to explain but even the smallest explanation may help a student understand and make sense of the target language itself. However, at the same time, I also think that sometimes people think a little too much into the sense of the languages. Sometimes it is just fine to let your intuition work and try different things until you get it right. I think this method would work a little bit better for those students who already have a bases in English language.
Would you like to teach a language using this method? Explain.
I think I would to some degree. Even thought there are some words that cannot be translated, there are some that do, so by learning these words, the student may be able to have a better understanding of those which might not literally translate. Similarly, I think it would help new FL students create a path to understand certain areas of the language before being introduced to more interactive and practical exercises.
Do you have any experience learning with this method? Share.
Yeah I remember doing several exercises with transforming affirmations into negations and into questions. I used it pretty actively as I got familiar with some of the gramatical rules of English. I remember we had to practice speaking in class, and we had to memorize certain words and common phrases to use it during class. We also did some exercises with filling the blanks in a paragraph, where I used my intuition to find the correct word and tense. However, I remember a lot of my classmates struggled with this. And although this may not be entirely this method’s fault, but instead the teaching method we were using in class, I think that for some students this method may represent a significant challenge when exposed to the real world because there are some parts in the English language that don’t really present patterns and are fluid. Plus, I think that teaching the student just how to respond to certain stimuli in English, will constrict the student from using the language more creatively (though the existence of opinions and ideas that may contradict this idea is also possible).
One sentence/instruction that teacher might say to their students if they would only teach that specific method.
In this class, we are going to speak a lot and repeat a lot of things, so be prepared to memorize and repeat a lot. Grammar is going to be the main thing we will focus, and we will introduce vocabulary as we learn different use of grammar.
The Silent Method:
Scholar who developed it:
It was influenced by Loam Chomsky’s arguments about language acquisition, but it was mainly developed and spread by Caleb Gattegno.
2-3 strengths
Student-centered method that allows the students to be aware of the methods of education they are using and to “own” their education in the language.
Allows the student the freedom of going through the learning path they feel most comfortable with and go at their own pace.
Experimentation and learning of the language may allow the student to develop further mental abilities in other areas other than language learning.
2-2 weaknesses
May not be ideal for those students who are less independent, I mean for those younger students that still depend on others to do certain things. Although there might be some younger students who may be more independent, younger kids may experience a harder time with this method.
I feel like this method might also not be so good for those students who are more shy and don’t talk too much in class. Although the aim of this method is to create a safe environment in class, that doesn’t mean that more introverted students will feel comfortable learning with this method.
This “uncertainty” produced by the teacher’s expectations that the students will eventually end up picking up on the correct pronunciation and gramatical order seems a little bit unreal, especially considering that the only moment that the student is learning the language is during the time they are in class.
Would you like to teach a language using this method? Explain.
No, I don’t think so really. I may pick some parts of the method, like trying to help the student to speak and understand the language naturally, but this might work if students already have a bases on the language, or the student is actively living and interacting with speakers of this language. Even so, I think it is important to allow the student to understand and identify some grammatical patterns and learn how to use them in specific situations.
Do you have any experience learning with this method? Share.
I don’t think so. I don’t really remember learning English with this specific method. The teacher always was the main authority in the class, and directed the content of the class in a specific order, expecting the all the students to have a similar language level.
One sentence/instruction that teacher might say to their students if they would only teach that specific method.
This class is all about you, you will use your own knowledge about your native language in addition to any knowledge you may have about English to learn more about it. I will be mostly quiet, not because I don’t care about you guys, but because I want it to come to you naturally. I really appreciate your feedback and it is really important for me to hear it because that is how we are going to continue building out knowledge in this language.
Desuggestopedia:
Scholar who developed it:
From Caleb Gattegno’s scilent method, Georgi Lozanov developed the desuggestopedia teaching method.
2-3 strengths
Kind of student-centered method that allows the student to be exposed to different situations in the targeted language
Students learn how to use the language creatively and in adapt it to the characters they are personifying.
Students learn in a fun environment where learnings isn’t seen as a task but as something that is fund to do.
2-2 weaknesses
May not be so attractive for older students, or students who are less into fine arts and more into mathematics I think.
I feel like learning to use language that they can use immediately may be a little bit tricky as the student may not be prepared to use language in special situations.
I think that students who belong to a culture that prefer more quiet and tranquil environment may be initially disturbed by the class environment and dynamics.
Would you like to learn a language using this method? Explain.
Yeah! It looks like a lot of fun! I think learning a new language with this kind of approach might be really fun and, if the teacher fits the expected role, I might be easily engaged and want to come back for more classes. It sounds like a good start for initial level language learning.
Would you like to teach a language using this method? Explain.
Yes, I think this method will be a good start to get people engaged and excited with the language. Plus, including peripheral learning, in addition to creating and exciting and welcoming class environment, will help students associate langauge learnign with a good experience, engouraging them to come back for more.
Do you have any experience learning with this method? Share.
I don’t know… I can’t really remember if my teachers ever used this kind of method for English teaching. But I think I remember the inclusion of peripheral learning in class, mainly in English during primary school but it was focused towards other classes in English, but not English Language class itself.
One sentence/instruction that teacher might say to their students if they would only teach that specific method.
Welcome students to this new class! I am so very excited to have you here today. I want to let you guys know that this class is meant to, yes, teach you English, but also to help you guys learn how to use it in the best way you can and build the best version of yourself through it. Don’t think of it as another class you need to attend, but a moment where we will learn from each other and have fun discovering.