Curriculum Planning
Approaches

Reconstructionist

Characteristics

- Driven by social reform and
societal needs.

- Emphasis on practical and social
goals.

- Goals and ends-means
approaches based on behavioral
objectives.

Focus

- Behavioral objectives and skill
mastery.

- Predetermined streaming of
students.

Methods

- Mastery of part-skills and
criterion-referenced assessment.

- Process-oriented syllabuses.

Assessments

- Criterion-referenced assessment.

Criticisms

- Criticized for demanding too
much from learners.

- Insufficient accommodation of
individual learner differences.

- Challenge in determining the
level of sophistication required.

Classical Humanist

Characteristics

- Emphasis on transmission of
generalizable intellectual
knowledge.

- Subject-centered syllabuses.

- Elitist groups guard culture and
knowledge.

Focus

- Content-centric with subject
matter at the core.

- Knowledge transmission from
teacher to students.

Methods

- Transmissive methodology;
teacher-centered.

- Content selection based on
analysis of subject matter.

Assessments

- Norm-referenced assessment.

Criticisms

- Can be seen as elitist and rigid.

- Limited scope of language and
contrived interaction.

Progressivist

Characteristics

- Focus on individual development
and learner responsibility.

- Methodology is learner-centered.

- Tasks and activities reflect
learners' interests.

Focus

- Experiential learning and personal
growth.

- Learner development and ability
to learn.

Methods

- Task-based approach with learner
selection of tasks.

- Error acceptance and problem-solving
activities.

Assessments

- Process-oriented assessment;
focus on self-evaluation.

Crtiticisms

- Difficult to integrate form and
function in syllabus.

- Potential cultural clashes and lack
of clear methodology-syllabus link.

- Difficulty in assessing progress
and predicting language use.