English Teaching Methodology

1. THE SILENT WAY
ENGLISH TEACHING METHODOLOGY

2. BACKGROUND
THE SILENT WAY

3.  The Silent Way developed in the 1960s by Caleb
Gattegno.
 It was first introduced in Gattegno's book Teaching
Foreign Languages in Schools: The Silent Way in
1963.
 It is well known for the use of colored sticks called
Cuisenaire rods and for his approach to the
teaching of initial reading in which sounds are
taught by colors.
BACKGROUND

4. OBJECTIVES
THE SILENT WAY

5.  The general goal of the SW is to help
beginning-level students gain basic fluency in
the target language, with the ultimate aim
being near-native language proficiency and
good pronunciation.
 They become independent by relying on
themselves.
OBJECTIVES

6. CHARACTERISTICS
THE SILENT WAY

7.  This method is based on the premise that
teacher should be silent as much as
possible and the learners should be
encouraged to produce language as much
as possible.
 The method emphasizes the autonomy of
the learner.
CHARACTERISTICS

8.  Pronunciation is seen as fundamental;
beginning students start their study with
pronunciation, and much time is spent
practicing it each lesson.
 The Silent Way uses a structural syllabus,
and structures are constantly reviewed
and recycled.
CHARACTERISTICS

9.  The choice of vocabulary is important, with
functional and versatile words seen as the
best.
 Translation and rote repetition are avoided
and the language is usually practiced in
meaningful contexts.
 Evaluation is carried out by observation, and
the teacher may never set a formal test.
CHARACTERISTICS

10. PRINCIPLES
THE SILENT WAY

11.  Teachers should concentrate on how
students learn, not on how to teach.
 -Imitation and drill are not the primary
means by which students learn
 -Learning consists of trial and error,
deliberate experimentation, suspending
judgement, and revising conclusions.
PRINCIPLES

12.  In learning, learners draw on
everything that they already know,
especially their native language.
 The teacher must not interfere with the
learning process.
PRINCIPLES

13. PROCESS
THE SILENT WAY

14.  Silence is a key tool of the teacher in
the Silent Way.
 A silent way classroom also makes
extensive use of peer correction.
TEACHING TECHNIQUE

15.  The Silent Way makes use of
specialized teaching materials:
colored Cuisenaire rods, the Sound-color
chart, Word charts, and Fidel
charts.
TEACHING MATERIALS

16. ADANTAGES
THE SILENT WAY

17.  This method fosters cooperative learning
between individuals.
 It embodies a new approach to education
in general, a respect for the individual and
an awareness of the individual’s
extraordinary cognitive powers.
ADVANTAGES

18. DISADANTAGES
THE SILENT WAY

19.  For some teachers the rigidity of the
system may be meaningless.
 Learners hard to understand.
DISADVANTAGES

20. TEACHER ROLES
THE SILENT WAY

21.  The role of the teacher is that of
technician or engineer.
 The teachers’ role is one of neutral
observer, neither elated by correct
performance nor discouraged by error.
TEACHER ROLES

22. LEARNER ROLES
THE SILENT WAY

23. Learners are expected to:
 develop independence and
responsibility
 self-correct through their awareness
 learn to work cooperatively
LEARNER ROLES

24. RECEPTION AND INFLUENCE
THE SILENT WAY

25.  The Silent Way in the form Gattegno described
can only be used by teachers who are free not to
adopt the Communicative Approach.
 Therefore, the Silent Way was only used by a
small number of teachers. However, the ideas
behind the Silent Way continue to be
influential, particularly in the area of teaching
pronunciation.
RECEPTION AND INFLUENCE