Different Methods of Teaching English Every Language Teacher Should Know

Do you ever feel like your English language lessons are falling flat? Are you looking for ways to make language learning more engaging and effective for your students? Teaching a new language can often feel overwhelming, both for teachers and students. 

It's a challenge to move beyond simply teaching grammar and vocabulary to helping students truly communicate.

However, there are different approaches you can take to make your lessons more dynamic and help your students become confident language users.

This blog post will explore the different methods of teaching English, such as Communicative Language Teaching, the Direct Method, and Task-Based Language Teaching.

We'll examine how these methods can be applied to improve language fluency, engagement, and comprehension among learners. You'll discover strategies that cater to different learning styles, use physical activity, and make learning interactive.

By understanding these approaches, you can create a more dynamic and effective language-learning environment for your students.

One of the most widely used methods in English language teaching is Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). This approach focuses on real-world communication and interaction, helping students develop practical language skills.

#1 Method of Teaching English: Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) changed language teaching by focusing on communication, not just grammar. Let’s take a closer look at it.

1. Shift in Focus

• From Drills to Communication: CLT revolutionized language teaching by shifting the focus from sterile grammar drills to lively communication. It moved away from repetitive exercises and towards real-world language use.

• Real-Life Emphasis: CLT emerged in the 1970s to emphasize real-life communication and fluency. The goal is to help students speak and understand the language in practical situations.

• Meaningful Exchanges: Learners engage in meaningful exchanges essential for language development. Students learn to use the language to express themselves and understand others.

2. Classroom Activities

• Realistic Scenarios: A cornerstone of CLT classrooms is the use of role-plays, discussions, and problem-solving tasks. These activities allow students to practice communicating in realistic scenarios, preparing them for real-world interactions.

• Integrating Language Skills: By involving all four language skills—reading, writing, listening, and speaking—students are better prepared for real-world interactions. Students use all parts of the language, not just one or two.

• Information Gap Exercises: Activities often include information gap exercises, where learners must converse to achieve a goal. This creates a situation where students have to communicate to solve a problem.

• Communication-Focused Environment: This approach helps create an environment that necessitates communication. Students are encouraged to talk, listen, and work together in the language they are learning.

3. Key Principles

• Interaction Priority: This method prioritizes interaction by integrating cooperative learning approaches. Students learn by talking and working with each other.

• Authentic Materials: CLT uses authentic materials that reflect actual language usage. This helps students learn the language as it is really used, not just as it is in textbooks.

• Motivation and Skill Development: This not only enhances motivation but also develops skills needed for day-to-day situations while building cultural awareness. Students become more interested in learning and learn skills they can use in their lives.

• A Reddit thread demonstrates how one teacher altered their approach after learning German predominantly through media exposure by also increasing opportunities for speaking. This reflects the real-life communication aims of CLT.

4. Challenges and Solutions

• Large Classes: Implementing CLT can pose challenges, particularly in large classes. It can be difficult to give every student a chance to speak and participate.

• Traditional Methods: It can also be challenging for educators habituated to traditional methods. Teachers who are used to teaching grammar drills might find CLT to be very different.

• Resource Constraints: Crafting meaningful, interactive activities requires thoughtful preparation, and there can be constraints due to resources. It takes time and effort to create good CLT lessons.

• Technological Solutions: Innovations like language learning apps, social media, and virtual reality are proving instrumental in overcoming these hurdles. These tools offer exciting, immersive experiences for learners, making CLT more engaging and effective.

5. Assessment in CLT

• Communicative Competence: By focusing on formative assessments and performance-based tasks, CLT ensures a comprehensive evaluation of communicative competence rather than mere linguistic knowledge.

Assessment focuses on how well students can use the language, not just how much they know about it.

• Ongoing Feedback: This holistic approach encourages ongoing feedback and continuous improvement. It helps students get better at communicating in the language.

  
  

Understanding the different aspects of running a microschool goes beyond curriculum and teaching methods. It’s also important to be aware of the legal requirements and regulations involved. To learn more about the key legal considerations, check out this blog: Microschools: Legal Considerations and Requirements You Must Know.

While CLT emphasizes communication, Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) takes it a step further by centering lessons around meaningful tasks. This method allows students to use language naturally while working toward a specific goal.

#2 Method of Teaching English: Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT)

Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) is a very effective way to teach language by using real-life tasks. Here is how it works.

1. Focus on Practical Language Use

• Meaningful Tasks: Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) engages learners through meaningful tasks. This approach focuses on using language to do things, not just memorizing rules. It encourages students to use the language in practical situations.

• Real-World Contexts: It encourages the practical use of language in real-world contexts. Tasks in TBLT range from real-life activities like visiting a doctor to creative assignments such as designing a class debate or making a short film. Students learn to use language in ways that are relevant to their lives.

2. Integrated Language Skills

• Holistic Approach: Each task requires students to use all four language skills—reading, writing, listening, and speaking—integratively. This method helps students develop all their language skills at the same time. It ensures a well-rounded language education.

• Broadening Linguistic Abilities: This approach broadens their linguistic abilities in a holistic manner. Students learn to use language in a variety of ways. They become more confident and fluent in the language.

3. Emphasis on Real-Life Application

• Practical Practice: One of the strengths of TBLT is its emphasis on real-life application. Students practice the language by planning a mock travel itinerary, conducting surveys, or even role-playing a job interview. They learn to use language in practical situations.

• Meaningful Communication: This variety of activities keeps students engaged. It also creates a natural setting for them to experiment with language, negotiate meaning, and receive immediate feedback on their communication.

Students are motivated to use the language to achieve a goal. They get feedback on their communication skills in a natural way.

4. Learner Autonomy and Personalized Learning

• Student Choice: TBLT supports learner autonomy. Students are encouraged to use any language they are comfortable with to complete tasks. They have freedom in how they use the language.

• Facilitator Role: Teachers often act as facilitators, guiding students while allowing them space to express themselves without constant correction. This helps students learn to be independent and confident in their language use. It allows them to take ownership of their learning.

• Reddit Support: This approach aligns with insights shared in a Reddit thread. In this, a language learner emphasized improvement through engaging, meaningful discussions beyond textbook dialogues, a core principle of TBLT.

5. Classroom Differentiation

• Varied Proficiency Levels: TBLT classrooms naturally bring differentiation to the forefront. While all students engage in the same overarching task, they are free to reach the goal using language at their proficiency level. This allows students of different skill levels to participate and succeed.

• Cooperative Learning: This environment promotes both cooperative learning and individualized progress. Students learn from each other and work together to complete tasks. They also have the opportunity to show what they can do on their own.

6. Modern Tools and Technology

• Interactive Learning Experiences: By integrating modern tools, TBLT remains relevant in language learning. AI chatbot technology is now being used to create more interactive learning experiences, aligning with TBLT's principles of meaningful task engagement.

Technology can be used to make tasks more engaging and interactive. AI chatbots can provide opportunities for students to practice language skills in a personalized way.

7. Real-World Preparation

• Language Proficiency and Skills: TBLT not only enhances language proficiency through practical application but also prepares students for real-world language challenges.

Students learn to use language effectively in everyday situations. They gain the communication skills they need to succeed in a globalized world.

• Dynamic and Engaging Atmosphere: TBLT helps in maintaining a dynamic and engaging classroom atmosphere. It makes learning more fun and relevant for students. It creates a positive environment for language learning.

Want to teach in a way that's engaging and easy?

The School House Anywhere (TSHA) offers the American Emergent Curriculum (AEC), packed with ready-to-use stories, lessons, and materials that are all connected. You'll also get helpful videos and support so you can spend your time teaching kids, not dealing with paperwork.

Check out the AEC and see how it can make your teaching life easier.

Some learners, especially beginners and young students, benefit from a more physical approach to language learning. Total Physical Response (TPR) uses movement and actions to help students understand and remember new words and phrases.

#3 Method of Teaching English: Total Physical Response (TPR)

Total Physical Response (TPR) is a teaching method that makes language learning fun and active by connecting it with movement. Let’s understand it in detail.

1. What is TPR?

• Combining Language and Movement: Total Physical Response (TPR) is a teaching method that combines language learning with physical activity. It helps students learn English by doing things with their bodies. This makes learning more active and engaging.

• Comprehension Before Production: Developed by Dr. James Asher in the 1960s, TPR is based on the idea that language comprehension should come before production. Students learn to understand the language before they have to speak it. This helps them feel less stressed about speaking.

• Speech and Movement Connection: By connecting language with actions, it helps students create strong neural links between speech and movement. This helps students remember what they learn. It also makes learning more physical and active.

2. Classroom Implementation

• Following Commands: In practice, TPR involves students following commands in the target language and responding with physical actions. The teacher gives instructions, and the students show they understand by doing something. This could be things like "stand up," "touch your nose," or "jump."

• Building Vocabulary: This approach not only helps build vocabulary. Students learn the meaning of words by doing them. It helps them remember words better.

• Engagement and Focus: It also keeps students engaged and focused by involving multiple senses. TPR involves hearing, seeing, and moving. This makes learning more interesting and helps students pay attention.

• Kinesthetic Learners: It's particularly beneficial for kinesthetic learners who learn best through movement and interaction. Kids who like to move around and do things will enjoy TPR. It helps them understand language in a way that fits how they learn.

3. Key Features

• Listening Comprehension: One of the key features of TPR is its emphasis on listening comprehension. Students get a lot of practice in understanding spoken English. This helps them get used to the sounds and rhythms of the language.

• Reducing Anxiety: This allows students to absorb the language without the pressure of immediate speaking. Students don't have to speak right away, which can make them feel less nervous. It's a good method for beginners and young learners who are still getting comfortable.

• Dynamic Activities: Engaging activities like 'Simon Says,' action songs, and storytelling with gestures are popular TPR techniques. These activities keep the lessons fun and exciting. They also encourage students to participate and use the language.

4. Adaptability and Limitations

• All Proficiency Levels: TPR's versatility means it can be adapted for all proficiency levels. You can use TPR with students who are just starting to learn English or with students who are more advanced. The activities can be made easier or harder depending on the students.

• Gradual Approach: Teachers are encouraged to start with simple commands paired with clear gestures and gradually increase complexity. Start with basic instructions and then add more details as students improve. Make sure your students understand the instructions before you make them more difficult.

• Props and Immersion: Props can also be a great addition to make the learning experience more immersive. Using objects that relate to the commands can make learning more engaging. This helps students connect the language with real-world things.

• Abstract Concepts: Despite its many advantages, some limitations are present in TPR. It may not be as effective for abstract concepts that don't lend themselves to physical representation. It can be harder to teach things like feelings or ideas with TPR. You might need to use other methods for those things.

• Cultural Differences: Not all students may feel comfortable with the physical aspect of TPR. Teachers should vary their methods to avoid predictability and ensure respectful practice by considering cultural differences.

Some students might not like moving around a lot. You need to be aware of different cultures and make sure everyone feels comfortable.

5. Further Exploration

• Pedagogical Insights: More about TPR can be explored through resources like the original work by Dr. Asher, which informs these pedagogical insights. It provides more information about how TPR was developed. It also explains why it works well for language teaching.

Want to start your own micro school?

The School House Anywhere (TSHA) can help you find the right space, whether it's a room, a house, or even a larger building. We'll give you guidelines, marketing tools, and materials to help you set it up and attract students.

Visit TSHA to learn more about creating your micro school!

Unlike TPR, which encourages physical engagement, The Silent Way focuses on student independence. This method encourages learners to discover language rules on their own while the teacher provides minimal verbal guidance.

#4 Method of Teaching English: The Silent Way

The Silent Way is a unique way to teach languages that focuses on letting students learn on their own and discover things for themselves. Here is what you need to know.

1. The Teacher's Role

• Reduced Instruction: Rather than telling students everything, the teacher's role is much smaller. You'll act more like a guide, helping students find their own answers. You won't be the main source of information but rather a helper.

• Promoting Student Discovery: This method supports students in detecting language patterns and encourages them to engage in problem-solving. Students learn by figuring out how the language works. They are encouraged to think for themselves and find solutions.

2. Learning Tools and Techniques

• Tactile Resources: Tools like Cuisenaire rods are often used, providing a tactile resource that aids in the discovery process. These physical objects help students understand language concepts in a hands-on way. They can be used to show grammar, pronunciation, and other language elements.

• Active Learning: The Silent Way promotes active learning, critical thinking, and autonomy. Students are encouraged to be independent and think for themselves. They learn to be responsible for their own learning.

3. Challenges and Considerations

• Student Confusion: Students encountering this method for the first time may feel confused or frustrated due to the minimal teacher intervention. Because the teacher doesn't talk much, students might feel lost at first. It's important to be patient and encouraging.

• Teacher Preparation: Teachers, in turn, must invest time and effort into preparing materials and designing activities suited to the method’s unique focus on student-led discovery. You'll need to create materials and activities that help students learn on their own. This requires careful planning and creativity.

• Language Input: While the Silent Way can effectively develop problem-solving skills, its sparse language input can be a limitation. Students might not hear as much of the language as they would in other methods.

It's important to supplement the Silent Way with other activities that focus on listening and speaking.

4. Implementation Strategies

• Simple to Complex: For those looking to implement the Silent Way in a modern classroom, beginning with simple language structures and gradually increasing their complexity is advisable. Start with basic sentences and then move on to more difficult ones. This helps students build a strong foundation.

• Non-Verbal Communication: Teachers can use gestures and facial expressions to guide students without speaking. Use body language to help students understand what you want them to do. Give them time to figure things out on their own.

• Technology Integration: Integrating Silent Way techniques with digital tools can modernize the approach. For example, interactive whiteboards can be used for visual demonstrations, and online exercises can simulate the problem-solving experience.

Technology can make the Silent Way more engaging and interactive. You can use online games, videos, and interactive exercises.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Cultural considerations are equally important. The emphasis on student independence may conflict with cultural norms that expect a more traditional teacher-student dynamic.

Be aware that students from some cultures may be used to teachers talking more. Adapt the method to fit your students' backgrounds.

If you're interested in creating a more personalized learning environment, starting a microschool could be a great option. Check out this step-by-step guide on how to establish and design your own microschool.

Each teaching method has its strengths, and combining different approaches can lead to a more well-rounded learning experience. By integrating CLT, TBLT, TPR, and The Silent Way, teachers can create engaging and effective lessons that cater to different learning styles.

How to Integrate the Different Methods of Teaching English

To make language teaching more effective, you should use a mix of different teaching methods. Here’s how you can do that.

1. Flexibility and Adaptation

• Method Selection: Every teaching method has unique strengths, and the choice of method should align with the specific learning objectives you set out. You should choose the teaching method that best fits the lesson you are teaching. Different lessons might require different approaches.

• Evolving Strategies: Flexibility and adaptation are essential. An effective English language teacher can adapt a method or even shift between different methods based on the context and the needs of the students. You should be prepared to change your teaching style as needed to help your students learn.

2. Blended Learning Approaches

• Technology Integration: Incorporating technology into traditional teaching can open up diverse avenues for learning. You can use computers, online resources, and other technology tools to make your lessons more interesting. This can help students learn in new and engaging ways.

• Complementary Methods: Online resources and interactive tools can complement face-to-face instruction. You can combine different teaching methods to create a rich learning experience. This blended approach can help students learn in a variety of ways.

3. Continuous Improvement

• Professional Development: Moreover, continuous professional development is crucial for staying updated with the latest innovations in language teaching. You should always learn new teaching methods and improve your skills. This helps you become a more effective teacher.

• Reflective Practice: Reflective practice further complements this growth, allowing teachers to evaluate and improve their strategies. You should think about how your teaching is going and what you can do to make it better. Getting feedback from students and other teachers can help with this.

4. Cultural Sensitivity and Assessment

• Culturally Responsive Teaching: Cultural sensitivity is crucial; integrating cultural elements makes learning engaging. You should be aware of different cultures and how they might affect learning. Use examples and materials that are relevant to your students' backgrounds.

• Tailored Assessment: The methods chosen should drive how we assess and evaluate student progress. Use different ways to check how well students are learning. Different teaching techniques necessitate tailored assessment strategies to accurately measure language acquisition and student achievement.

Wrapping Up

Teaching English doesn't have to be boring or focused only on rules. There are many different ways to make it fun, engaging, and effective. We've covered some of the most popular and helpful methods, like Communicative Language Teaching, which focuses on real-life communication.

Another key approach is the Direct Method, which immerses students in the language. We've also explored Task-Based Language Teaching, which uses meaningful activities to help students use English in practical ways.

By using these methods, you can create a classroom where students are actively involved, building their confidence and fluency. You'll also be able to meet the needs of different learners and help your students develop the skills they need to communicate effectively in English.

Remember, the best approach is often a blend of different techniques chosen to fit your students and your teaching style.

Ready to Transform English Language Learning in Your Community? Start a TSHA Micro School!

You've learned about different ways to teach English, like focusing on communication and using real-life tasks. Now, consider starting a micro school where you can use these methods. TSHA Micro Schools gives you what you need to build a school where English language learning is engaging and successful.

Here's how TSHA Micro Schools can help you:

• A Curriculum That Emphasizes Communication: TSHA's American Emergent Curriculum (AEC) is designed to integrate communicative language teaching principles. This means your students will focus on using English in real-world situations, not just memorizing grammar rules.

• Flexible and Engaging Learning: TSHA Micro Schools offer the freedom to create a dynamic learning environment that incorporates various teaching methods, including those effective for English language learners. You can tailor your approach to meet the diverse needs of your students.

• Support for Effective Language Teaching: TSHA provides resources and guidance to help you implement best practices in English language education. You'll have access to tools and training that support communicative language teaching, the Direct Method, and task-based learning.

• Community Building for Language Learners: TSHA has a supportive community where you can connect with other educators, share ideas, and build a network for your students. This is especially valuable for creating a rich and immersive language learning environment.

• Empowering You to Create a Unique School: TSHA helps you establish and run your micro school. We provide support in areas like curriculum development, operations, and community engagement.

You can create a school that reflects your passion for language education and caters to the specific needs of your community.

Ready to create a micro school where English language learners can truly thrive?

Get Started Today!