MS4 level being good citizen -imperative- (1) (1).pdf
The Nature of Language Teaching
1. THE NATURE
OF
LANGUAGE TEACHING
Peter D. Stevens
2. LLT Process is higly complex set of events
•A student
•A teacher
•An organized framework
•An institution
2 different LTL :
•Inferior
• superior
Depending on the command of the language
the learners achieve
3. The 4 principal components of the LLT process
are :
THE COMMUNITY
THE LANGUAGE TEACHING PROFESSION
THE TEACHER
THE LEARNER
4. THE COMMUNITY
Decides that tuition in such or such languages should be
available : implies a choice in foreign language
A branch of gov’t mediates
It’s an integral part of educational provision , just one
more subject
So, teachers are :
Public servants
Paid by the community
Trained at the expense of community
Supported by community
5. There are 2 elements within The Community
The Public Will ,which languages should be taught
Administration and organization ( A/O) , allocating
funds, buildings , etc
THE PUBLIC WILL creates the level of expectation
of achievement , highly related to MOTIVATION.
THE A/O LT depends on the Ministry of Education,
which is a double edged “blessing” . Difference between
INFERIOR and SUPERIOR LLT many times depends on A/O
6. THE LANGUAGE TEACHING PROFESSION
Profession as a discipline, like any other.
It is also the set of principles by which teachers organize
themselves.
Teacher trainers : they mediate between contributory
disciplines and school tasks and probs in the class
I n s t r u c t o r manipulates techniques and presents
foreign language to students
T e a c h e r : good instructor + cherishes his students
and recognizes their individuality as learners
E d u c a t o r : good teacher + is aware of the
interrelations between the techniques , the contributory
disciplines and the needs of society
7. THE TEACHER
1- The Teacher: may or may not be present
Minimum qualities of a teacher :
Nondiscouraging personality
Adequate presentation skills as a teacher
Upkeep adequate command of the language he
teaches
Upgrading of professionalism: dedication to learning
and keep in touch with new techniques and development
2- Teacher Training : criteria for selection of aspirants
and training : education , temperamental suitability and
vocation
Initial Training ( components of skills information and
theory) and Further Training
8. 3- Teaching
This is the element which has been given the most
importance lately, but this is not unique
Approaches
Methodology ( use of techniques)
Syllabus design
Materials production
Testing
Types of teaching
9. 4- Constraints
Low expectations of success by teacher, system, parents ,
etc
Unattainable objectives
Confusion of aims
Physical, organizationalor psychological constraints ,
generally mistakes in the O/A
Insufficient time
Poor materials not compensated by good teachers
Inadequate teacher training
Incompetent class teaching and lack of interest in
learners
10. THE LEARNER
He has a profile of characteristics which make him individual,
different from other learners
DIFFERENCES:
age
willingness to give time and effort
special language abilities
concentration
previous linguistic experience
general education experience
self view as a language learner
learning strategies
level of expectations of success
11. CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS
Unwilling learners are unlikely to learn, while willing learners
are likely to learn well.
Enough learning should be provided
Excellence in one area, can compensate with inadequacy in
another
The 4 components are included in success:
The Community positive attitude served by a helpful
administration
The Profession needs to provide teachers with support of
all kinds
The Teacher needs to display devolution toward his
students ( and attitude, and vocation)
The Learner needs to be willing to learn
12. TASK for next class:
Individual work
Get the copies at La Cabaña, read them thoroughly and prepare
5 smart question to ask in class, and answer them in a separate
paper.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Long, Michael H., Richards, Jack C, Methodology in TESOL, A Book
of Readings , Heinly&Heinle Publishers, USA 1987