Approaches & Methodologies to Teaching
Emergent Bilinguals
Grammatical Approach
This approach focuses on the
learner memorizing the rules of
the language It is a bottom-up
philosophy of learning because it
follows an extremely specific
sequence. . Learners listen to
exactly what the teacher does
and practice the skills out of
context. Within this approach,
the speaker's first language are
not seen as beneficial to second
language development. Instead,
the first language is seen as
hindering second language
acquisition. Teaching of this
approach is extremely focused on
grammar and memorization.
The Grammar-Transition Method was
teacher-centered and did not focus on meaning. At
first, the teacher would expose a list of linguistic rules
to the students. Next, the students would memorize
their vocabulary words. Last in the learning, students
would apply the rules that they memorized to given
sentences or paragraphs depending on the level of
their learning.
Application Students would
engage in translating sentences
or paragraphs for grammatical
accuracy.
The
Grammar-Transition
Method was replaced
by the Direct Method
in the 1940s (Herrera &
Murry)
These methods focus
on grammar instead of
meaning. They also
teach memorization
and repetition. They
also all depict a
bottom-up teaching
philosophy.
Direct Method
This method was developed
because its author wanted to
create a connection between
scientific based teaching and SLA.
The direct method was formed on
the theory that words are
associated with the contexts in
which they were learned. In this
method, students infer grammar
based on carefully sequenced
instruction. Students are exposed
to grammar patterns through
modeling.
Application Teacher models
the language and students
try to internalize the
syntax and grammar.
Teacher may provide
context through realia
(pictures, objects, diagrams)
Audiolingual Method
This method was developed
because of need during WWII.
Soldiers going overseas needed a
way to learn the language quickly.
In this method, students are given
dialogue drills that are trying to
help them develop grammar
structures and vocabulary. It occurs
in a sequential manner. This
method believes that drills of
language structures would result in
habit.
Students are listening to
vocabulary over and over.
They are expected to
memorize the syntax
and in turn, will have
developed a habit of proper grammar.
Communicative Approach
This approach focuses on learning
language for the purpose of
communicating with others. It is more
research based than the grammatical
approach. This approach was based on the
understanding that memorizing rules and
sentences does not help users to
communicate because there are infinate
combinations of words. The role of the
teacher is to create a language rich
environment in which communication is
for authentic purposes.
The teacher makes input
comprehensible by providing
visuals, guarded vocabulary,
cooperative learning, and
hands-on activities. The
teacher may reduce the use
of idioms, use realia and
manipulatives., teach with big
books.
Silent Way
This method presented
learners with simple
language interactions that
they observed and then
described in their own
words using the target
language. Learners were
able to construct their
own theory of speaking,
writing, listening, and
writing.
The teacher models a
conversation with a
partner. Students then
observe, notice, and
construct what they can
about the language. They
describe what they
observed using the target
language.
This method is different from
the grammatical approach
because learners were
focused on meaning. However,
it is similar to the
grammatical approach
because there is high
amounts of feedback.
Natural Way
Language production follows natural
stages. This method is focused on
comprehension over perfect speech.
There is a focus on lowering the
affective filter by creating a low risk
environment for learning. This method
laid the foundation for the sheltered
instruction method.
Teacher speaks in a way that makes
input comprehensible. She may slow
her speech, use real objects, or use
cognates. Then students focus on
comprehension.
The Natural
Way laid the
foundation for
Sheltered
Instruction.
Both of these
methods placed
emphasis on
creating a low
stress environment
for lowering the
affective filter.
Suggestopedia
This method is focused on
individual personality
differences within learners. The
creator of this method believed
that most students and their
fear of language learning
hindered rapid acquisition. He
was concerned with creating a
low stress environment.
Students
engage in
conversation,
retelling, and
role play.
Integrated
Content-Based Method
This method is
focused integrating
students' needs
academically and
lingusitically. The
teacher develops
content and
language objectives.
In this method,
teachers work to
plan a thematic
unit. The unit is
across all subject
areas.
Application A teacher
implements a unit that
integrates science, math, art,
reading, and writing. In it,
students research an
animals, they build it out of
materials, write about it, and
discuss it with their peers.
They use math to figure out
its proportions and make a
scale.
Both integrate
content and language
ACROSS subject
areas for enhanced
learning. They also
use all four language
domains.
Sheltered
Instruction Method
In this method, language and
content objectives are
integrated into the same
lesson. Using this method helps
scaffold CLD students to
receiving grade level content
but with support. This method
uses hands on application and
social interaction. It
incorporates cooperative
learning and visual supports.
The teacher provides
preteaching of academic
vocabulary to CLD students.
Students are given sentence
stems to support them using
the vocabulary within
academic contexts.
Both focus on
integrating content
and language
objectives to support
CLD students.
Cognitive Approach
This approach began to make connections to
the way the brain operates and how learning
occurs. This model began to look at the learner
as an active participant instead of passive in
the language acquisition process. This method
began to think about how the learner's
background knowledge and experiences
affected language learning. It took into account
how the learner might attach new learning to
old learning.
Application Cooperative
learning, explicit LS
instruction, maximizing
content and language
objectives. The teacher may
use a KWL chart,
questioning, word walls,
outlines, etc.
CALLA Method
This method integrates the need for
authentic communication and the need
for comprehension of academic
discourse. This method has three steps.
It teaches topics from major content
areas, development of academic
language skills, and explicit instruction
of learning strategies (Herrera &
Murry). It is taught across the four
domains of speaking, listening, writing,
and reading and is beneficial for all
students.
An integrated unit that focuses
on identifying and describing
story elements across familiar
stories and writing composition
during writing workshop.
students work together to
discuss and sort character,
setting, and beginning, middle,
and end. They then apply their
knowledge by writing a fictional
narrative during a writing
workshop unit.