Student Centered Teaching Methods

  "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]

  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]

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) requires creativity and adaptability to engage students effectively. Innovative teaching methods can enhance the learning experience and make lessons more engaging and memorable for students. Here are some innovative TEFL teaching methods to consider: 1. Communicative Language Teaching (CLT): CLT focuses on real-life communication rather than rote memorization. It encourages students to interact in English through group activities, role plays, and discussions. This method helps students develop their speaking and listening skills in a practical context. 2. Task-Based Learning: Task-based learning involves giving students tasks or challenges to complete using English. This approach promotes collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking...  [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]

  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]

  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]

  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]

  Our next methodology is called the silent way and it's accredited to Caleb Gattegno and was developed in or around the 1970s. This particular methodology moved on from the behaviorist stimulus response to what's called a theory of constructivism and this constructivist approach was very very different, very radical to anything that had been tried before. The background to this particular methodology was that there was a French mathematics teacher who found that his students were finding it very difficult to understand particular concepts. What he realized was that what they needed was a more visual representation of the information. So he came up with a series of colored rods to help with those concepts in mathematics. He gave his name to those rods and they're called Cuisenaire...  [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]

  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]

When creating a TEFL teaching strategy, it is important to consider various factors that will contribute to the effectiveness of your lessons. Your strategy should encompass a range of teaching methods, activities, and resources to cater to the diverse needs of your students. Here are some key elements to include in your TEFL teaching strategy: First and foremost, it is essential to establish clear learning objectives for each lesson. These objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). By clearly defining what you want your students to achieve by the end of the lesson, you can better structure your teaching approach. Incorporate a variety of teaching methods to keep your lessons engaging and interactive. This can include a combination of...  [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]

To prepare effective lesson plans, TEFL teachers need to follow a structured approach that includes several key components. First, it's essential to start by clearly defining the learning objectives of the lesson. These objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). By outlining what students should be able to do by the end of the lesson, teachers can ensure that their planning is focused and aligned with desired outcomes. Next, teachers should consider the students' current level of English proficiency, interests, and learning styles. This information will help them tailor the lesson to meet the needs of their students and ensure that it is engaging and accessible to all learners. Once the objectives and student needs are identified, teachers can...  [Read more]

When it comes to TEFL teaching methods, there are several key components that you should include to create a successful and engaging learning experience for your students. These components are essential for ensuring that your students are able to effectively learn and practice the English language. Here are some important elements to consider including in your TEFL teaching methods: 1. **Communicative Approach**: The communicative approach focuses on real-life communication and interaction in the target language. Encourage your students to engage in meaningful conversations, role-plays, and language activities that simulate authentic language use. 2. **Task-Based Learning**: Incorporate tasks and activities that require students to use English in a practical way to achieve a goal. This...  [Read more]

Becoming proficient in TEFL teaching methods is a process that varies depending on individual factors such as prior teaching experience, language proficiency, and dedication to professional development. Generally, it takes between 6 months to 2 years to become proficient in TEFL teaching methods. In the initial stages, new TEFL teachers often undergo a TEFL certification course, which typically lasts around 120 hours. This course provides a solid foundation in teaching techniques, lesson planning, classroom management, and language assessment. After completing the certification, teachers may start gaining practical experience through teaching practice sessions, observed teaching hours, and feedback from experienced mentors. As teachers gain more experience in the classroom, they continue...  [Read more]

To enhance your TEFL classroom management skills, there are several strategies and techniques you can implement. These methods will help you create a positive and productive learning environment for your students while also maintaining control and fostering engagement. Here are some key tips to improve your TEFL classroom management skills: Establishing clear expectations from the beginning is essential in creating a well-managed classroom. Clearly communicate your rules and expectations regarding behavior, participation, and academic standards. Make sure your students understand what is expected of them and the consequences for not following the rules. Developing a positive and respectful relationship with your students is crucial for effective classroom management. Show genuine interest...  [Read more]

To make your TEFL classes more effective, there are several key strategies you can implement. First, it's essential to create a positive and inclusive learning environment where students feel comfortable practicing their English skills. This can be achieved through icebreaker activities, group work, and encouraging open communication. In addition, incorporating a variety of teaching methods and resources can help cater to different learning styles and keep students engaged. This can include using multimedia tools, such as videos and interactive online platforms, as well as incorporating real-life materials like newspapers, songs, and podcasts. Furthermore, providing regular feedback to students on their progress is crucial for their development. This can be done through individual...  [Read more]

Once you have learned enough skills, techniques and have observed enough English lessons by your trainers, you are ready to prepare and execute your own English lessons at our Cusco center. With the help of our professional trainers, you will create a fun and interactive lesson plan and present your lesson to real EFL students at our center in peru. By the end of the in-class course, every trainee will have absolved 8-10 practical teaching sessions with real English learners.   [Read more]

The age, background, and motivation of the students in your ESL classroom will vary greatly depending on where you are teaching and the school or institute you work for. You could have a class full of university students, hotel workers or even high flying business executives. Alternatively, you might work in a government school teaching a class of children aged anywhere from five to sixteen. Each of these groups has its own characteristics, and different teachers have their own preferences. Just remember that by completing a reputable TEFL certification course before you head off abroad, you will learn all the skills required to deliver effective and enjoyable lessons to almost any group of learners. A large percentage of teachers working in ESL classrooms overseas will find their...  [Read more]

  As there are many different reasons for learning the English language, there is no typical classroom environment for ESL teachers. Depending on the employer, your class could be full of five-year-old children, university students, or executives from the corporate world.  [Read more]

  Our next consideration is going to be how we actually group our students. There are perhaps three types of grouping arrangements that we can consider and within those we'll have a look at the potential positive and negatives of those particular arrangements. So firstly, what arrangements can we use? We could arrange our group as a whole class so all of their activities will be done as a whole class. They could be working as individuals and the final grouping arrangement we'll consider is that of small groups or indeed the use of pair work. So for each of these types of arrangements what are the potential positive and negatives with that type of arrangement? For the whole class certainly one of the main positive features is that it gives that class a sense of belonging. Secondly...  [Read more]

  It is very important that whenever we?re doing an activity that we use the students names wherever possible when we're asking for feedback and so on and so forth. There are a number of benefits to using the students? names and they can include helping to actually organize the class itself, certainly to acknowledge when a student has given the correct answer and so forth, to indicate who should respond, rather than just asking a general question to the whole class. By using the names we can ask an individual to respond to that particular question. One point to note here is that if you are going to ask an individual student it is very useful if you put their name at the end of the question. This is useful because if you start with their name then all of the other students know that...  [Read more]

  This video looks at the difficulties students have when learning modal auxiliary verbs. The number of usages and the modal auxiliary verbs that can be used for various usages often bring about problems for the students. Also, the structure of sentences with modal auxiliary verbs can be confusing. Watch this video to understand all the difficulties students face with modal auxiliary verbs. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. This was an extremely...  [Read more]

When it comes to teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) with a focus on innovation, there are several countries that stand out as ideal destinations for teachers looking to incorporate cutting-edge teaching methods and technology into their classrooms. These countries offer not only a high demand for English language instruction but also a supportive environment for teachers to experiment with new and creative teaching approaches. One of the best countries for TEFL teachers with a focus on innovation is South Korea. Known for its strong emphasis on education and technology, South Korea provides teachers with access to state-of-the-art classroom technology and a highly motivated student population. The country's government has also made significant investments in English language...  [Read more]

Teaching English in a technical school can be a rewarding experience, but it also requires specific preparation to effectively engage students and help them succeed in their language learning journey. Here are some key steps to consider when preparing for teaching English in a technical school: Before starting your teaching journey, it's crucial to understand the specific needs and goals of technical students. These students may require English language skills for specific purposes related to their field, such as reading technical manuals, writing reports, or communicating with international colleagues. Tailoring your lessons to meet these needs will make your teaching more relevant and impactful. Technical fields often have specialized vocabulary that may be unfamiliar to language...  [Read more]

To make your TEFL classes more engaging for all age groups, it is essential to incorporate a variety of interactive activities and teaching methods. For young learners, games, songs, and hands-on activities can be highly effective in keeping them engaged and motivated. For teenagers, using multimedia resources, such as videos and music, can help maintain their interest. Adults, on the other hand, may appreciate more practical and real-life based activities that are relevant to their interests and goals. Incorporating technology into your lessons can also make them more engaging for all age groups. Utilizing online resources, interactive whiteboards, and educational apps can help create a dynamic and interactive learning environment. Additionally, incorporating a mix of individual, pair,...  [Read more]

To prepare for teaching English in a rural area, there are several important steps you can take to ensure you are ready for this unique experience. First, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the local community and culture of the rural area where you will be teaching. This includes learning about the customs, traditions, and values of the people who live there. By understanding the background of your students, you will be better able to connect with them and tailor your teaching approach to their needs. Next, it is essential to research the educational resources and infrastructure available in the rural area. This may include understanding the curriculum guidelines, available teaching materials, and any technological limitations that may exist. By being prepared in advance, you can...  [Read more]

To prepare for teaching English in a business setting, there are several key steps you can take to ensure you are ready to deliver effective and engaging lessons to your students. First and foremost, it is essential to have a strong understanding of the specific needs and objectives of your students in a business context. This may involve familiarizing yourself with common business English vocabulary, phrases, and communication styles. Additionally, understanding the cultural norms and expectations within the business world can help you tailor your lessons to be relevant and impactful for your students. Next, it is important to develop a curriculum that is tailored to the unique needs of your business English students. This may involve incorporating real-world business scenarios, case...  [Read more]

To prepare for teaching English in an international school, there are several key steps you can take to ensure you are ready for this rewarding and challenging experience. First and foremost, it's essential to have a strong grasp of the English language yourself. This means having a deep understanding of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and sentence structure. If English is not your first language, consider taking language courses or working with a tutor to improve your skills. Additionally, obtaining a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification is highly recommended. These certifications provide you with the necessary training and credentials to teach English effectively to non-native speakers. Many...  [Read more]