The Secret Life of Methods
PERSPECTIVES ON METHODS
CURRICLUM DEVELOPEMENT
LANGUAGE CENTERED
Focus on grammar and vocabulary, such as the structural-situational and audiolingual approaches, which emphasize systematic syllabuses
LEARNING CENTERED
Emphasize how people learn. prioritizes instructional strategies and teacher-student interactions. Ex:Total Physical Response (TPR) and the Silent Way
ADOPTION AND INFLUENCE
influence the popularity of methods
THE SYLLABUS ROUTE
STRUCTURAL SYLLABUSES
Grammar-focused (e.g., Structural-Situational, Audiolingual)
Vocabulary-focused
Notional-Functional Syllabuses
Communicative needs (e.g., ESP, Threshold Level)
Emphasis on functions and situations
Lexico-Structural vs. Communicative Approaches
Shift from traditional to communicative
The Instructional-Theory Route
Psycho-Linguistic Theory
Learning strategies
Conditions for effective learning
Methods Examples:
Total Physical Response (TPR)
Language linked to physical actions
Counseling-Learning (C-L)
Emotional support and community
Silent Way
Problem-solving and minimal teacher intervention
Syllabus as an Outcome
Syllabus develops from instructional procedures
Teacher-developed syllabuses
Innovative Methods
Emphasis on Instruction
Less focus on content, more on teaching methods
Individual Philosophies
Each method reflects the creator's beliefs about learning
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
EARLY METHODS
Focused on vocabulary and grammar, leading to structured approaches like the structural-situational and aural-oral methods.
INNOVATIONS
Newer approaches emphasize communicative functions and learner-specific needs
the notional-functional syllabus and English for Specific Purposes (ESP)
ADOPTION AND INFLUENCE OF METHODS
FORM AND PRESENTATION
MATERIALS-BASED METHODS
Textbooks embodying principles.
Text-based methods have a higher adoption rate.
Examples: Audiolingual, Communicative.
Teacher-Dependent Methods
Requires special training.
Lower adoption rate due to the need for training.
Examples: Lozanov's and Gattegno's methods.
PUBLISHING INFLUENCE
PUBLISH
Role of Publishers
Influence method adoption through widespread dissemination.
Prefer methods that can be easily marketed via textbooks.
Examples: Notional-Functional, Communicative approaches.
Independent Presses
Less influence, often self-published.
Examples: Asher’s, Curran’s, Gattegno’s methods.
PERISH
SUPPORT NETWORK
Academic and Institutional Support
Methods need legitimacy from academics and educational institutions.
Influence of university adoptions and educational agencies.
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS
Curriculum Development Phases
Many methods lack empirical validation. Effective curriculum development requires rigorous evaluation and evidence-based practices,
Goal Setting
Needs Analysis
Situation Analysis
Task Analysis
Selection of Learning Experiences
Evaluation (Formative, Summative)
Accountability and Evaluation
Importance of empirical evidence to support method effectiveness.
Studies often lack rigorous evaluation designs.
Examples of Evaluative Studies:
Wagner and Tilney's study on Suggestopedy and Superlearning.
Need for empirical research on communicative language teaching methods.
Experimental Design Importance
True experimental design needed to validate method effectiveness.
Comparison of pre-test and post-test results.