LANGUAGE TEACHING METHODOLOGY

As a language learner, it is important to understand the various methods so that you are able to make educated choices. I’m going to review about what I have learned recently in language teaching methodology class. There are a lots of methods fort teaching, they are The Direct Method, Grammar-translation, Audio-lingual, The Structural approach, Suggestopedia, Total Physical Response (TPR), Communicative language teaching (CLT), The Silent Way, Gouin’s Series Method, Community Language Leaning, Immersion, Task-based language learning, The Natural Approach, The Lexical Syllabus.

·         Grammar Translation Method

I think this one of the most methods that always been used by teacher in school, because it is focusing on grammar rules, memorization of vocabularies and declensions and conjugations, translation of texts, written exercises. For example students learn grammatical rules and then apply those rules by translating sentences between English to Indonesian. There is not usually any listening or speaking practice, and very little attention is placed on pronunciation or any communicative aspects of the language. Most of teachers usually do not speak English in the class, they use their mother tongue. The skill exercised is reading, and writing only.

·         Total Physical Response (TPR)

This is one of the effective methods for student, because Total Physical Response (TPR) can be used to teach and practice many things. For example, in the class room the teacher plays the role of parent. She starts by saying a word “jump” “stand up” “open the book” and demonstrating the action. The teacher then says the command and students all do the action. It is a lot of fun, students enjoy it. This method also used by the parent. The parent instructs and the child physically responds to this. The parent says, “look at mama” or “hold this” and the child does it. These conversations happen for many months until the child can speak by itself.

·         Gouin’s Series Method

Francois Gouine (1800s), a French teacher of Latin. He used to studying German grammar and took a test but he failed. He tried again to memorizing numerous German vocabularies, and he failed again. And then he went to his home town observing the language development of his nephew who just starts to speak that it is not only by learning vocabularies and grammar but it is necessary for listening the language. So language learning is a matter of transforming perceptions into conceptions. Language is a means of thinking, of representing the world to oneself

·         The series method

A method that taught learners directly (without translation) and conceptually (without grammatical rules and explanations) a “series” of connected sentences that are easy to perceive. The language was so easily understood, stores, recalled, and related to reality

For example:

I walk toward the door. I draw near to the door. I draw nearer to the door. I get to the door. I stop at the door.

I stretch out my arm. I take hold of the handle. I turn the handle. I open the door. I pull the door.

The door moves. The door turns on its hinges. The door turns and turns. I open the door wide. I let go of the handle.

I think those are all that I have learned in Language Teaching Methodology class with Mr.Taufiq. My impression of his class is just really interesting. In his class we sit in a circle and he does the TPR method such as stand up, move around, etc. Also we need to speak full English during his class, no mother tongue allows. So I think he used few of teaching methods in his class and it is effective enough for students improve their skill.  Another precious thing that I learn from him is nothing could ever stop you. And always be grateful for what you have right nowJ