The document discusses teaching methodology in the English classroom. It addresses 8 questions: 1) What is methodology? 2) What should teachers consider when teaching? 3) How can teachers use textbooks? 4) What are learners like? 5) Should teachers work with the four skills? 6) What should teachers consider for each skill? 7) Who monitors students? 8) What can teachers use technology for? For each question, the document provides explanations and considerations for developing an effective English teaching methodology.

1. Universidad Pedagógica Experimental Libertador
Instituto Pedagógico de Caracas
Teaching methodology
in the English classroom
Prof. Alexis Maizo
VenTESOL 30th Annual National Convention
Valencia, May 2012

2. Eight questions to answer
1. What’s methodology?
2. What should we consider when teaching?
3. How can we use the textbook?
4. What are learners like?
5. Should we work with the four skills?
6. What should we consider in each skill?
7. Who monitors students?
8. What do we use technology for?
References
Teaching methodology in the English classroom

3. 1. What’s methodology?
Methodology is generally a guideline system
for solving a problem, with specific
components
such
as
phases, tasks, methods, and tools.
It
analyzes
the
principles
of
methods, approaches, rules, and postulates
employed by a discipline.
Adapted from: http://goo.gl/zOpel
Teaching methodology in the English classroom

4. What’s an approach?
According to Richards and Rodgers (1986), an
approach is “a set of correlative assumptions dealing
with the nature of language teaching and learning.”
(p. 15)
Back to: What’s methodology?
Teaching methodology in the English classroom

5. What’s a method?
A method is an overall plan for the orderly
presentation of language material which should be
coherent with the selected approach. A method
implies procedures (Richards and Rodgers, 1986).
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Teaching methodology in the English classroom

6. Three methods; two approaches
•Grammar-Translation Method
•Audio-lingual method
•Total Physical Response (TPR)
•Natural Approach
•Communicative Approach
Back to: questions to answer
Teaching methodology in the English classroom

7. 2. What should we consider when teaching?
Materials
Textbooks,
audio/video
activities, magazines, newspaper
s, etc.
Students
Age,
styles, interests, etc.
Context
Classroom conditions, available
resources,
duration
of
the
class, etc.
learning
Back to: questions to answer
Teaching methodology in the English classroom

8. 3. How can we use the textbook?
Learners' needs, or classroom
conditions lead us to:
• Change, skip, or adapt
content/activities.
• Bring a new set of activities especially
designed for the class: readings, listenings, or
games.
Back to: questions to answer
Teaching methodology in the English classroom

9. 4. What are learners like?
Nowadays, most of them are:
• Inclined towards group activities.
• Digital literate.
• Weak readers
(long texts are not their strength).
• Likely to prefer inductive discovery.
(Adapted from: http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/ )
Back to: questions to answer
Teaching methodology in the English classroom

10. 5. Should we work with the four skills?
Teachers can design activities integrating, at
least, two skills at a time:
 Reading to speak/write;
 Listening to write/speak;
 Writing to read and then to speak.
There should be a clear purpose for every task/activity.
Back to: questions to answer
Teaching methodology in the English classroom

11. 6. What should we consider in each skill? (I)
Listening
• Purpose: fulfill a task/have a class discussion
• Exposure: Once is not enough.
• Design: teacher-generated/adapted
Reading
• Comprehension through techniques
• Exposure: authentic texts
• Role of reading aloud vs. reading silently.
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Teaching methodology in the English classroom

12. 6. What should we consider in each skill? (II)
Speaking
• Purpose: develop communicative abilities.
• Variety of activities (topic/task–based)
• Turn-taking
Writing
• Purpose: expression of ideas
• Writing process
• As a means/as an end
Back to: questions to answer
Teaching methodology in the English classroom

13. 7. Who monitors students?
• Their peers
• Themselves
Echoing (Harmer, 2009)
• The teacher
Direct correction from the teacher is the last
resource after the group has tried to get it right.
Back to: questions to answer
Teaching methodology in the English classroom

14. 8. What do we use technology for?
• Working in class (if possible)
• Assigning activities/homework (individual, whole
group, etc.)
• Designing activities (as a resource for teachers)
• Practicing freely (as a resource for students)
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Teaching methodology in the English classroom

15. Some resources for teachers and students
• British Council
• BBC learning English
• ELLLO (English Listening Lesson Library On-line)
• V.O.A (Voice of America)
• Speak Up Magazine
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Teaching methodology in the English classroom

16. What should we bear in mind?
• Learning inductively
• Encouraging thinking through issues
• Focusing on problem solving skills
• Making connections
• Avoiding memorization of content
Back to: questions to answer
Teaching methodology in the English classroom

17. References
Brumfit, C. (1984) Communicative methodology in language teaching. London:
Cambridge University Press.
Hedge, T. (1991) Writing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hirvela, A. (2004) Connecting reading and writing in second language writing
instruction. Michigan: University of Michigan Press.
Larsen-Freeman, D. (1986) Techniques and principles in language teaching. New
York: Oxford University Press.
Nation, I. (2009) Teaching ESL/EFL reading and writing. Abingdon: Routledge.
Richards, J. & Rodgers. T. (2001) Approaches and methods in language teaching.
Cambridge: Cambridge University press.
Scovel, T. (2001) Learning new languages: a guide to second language
acquisition. Ontario: Heinle & Heinle.
Ur, P. (1996) A Course in Language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Teaching methodology in the English classroom

18. Thank you!
alexhp1987@hotmail.com
@AlexisMaizo
Teaching methodology in the English classroom