西华师范大学外国语学院《英语教学分析》3rd lesson

Ferdiand de Saussure (1857-1913)
Approach, Method and Technique
Approach---a general, macro-level term
Method---mid-level term Technique--- a specific, micro-level term
Approach, Method and Technique
Approach
1. Language theories
Traditional Linguistics Structural Linguistics Transformational Generative Linguistics Functional Linguistics
Language Theories


written form is superior to spoken form prescriptive: set up principles and standards
Grammar translation method prevails.
As the name suggested, grammar translation focus on learning the rules of grammar and their application in translation passages from one language into the other.
Approach
Any assumed approach is primarily psychologically and linguistically based.
Language learning theory
Psychological theory
Language theory
approach
( adapted from Johnson, 2003,p42)
“能指”(signifier)与“所 指”(si是一个符号的表达形象，而其 所代表之意就是“所指” (signified) 。两者结合 是“意指” (signification)，意指可以被理解为一 个过程，它是将能指与所指结成一体的行为，该 行为的产物是符号。
Language Theories
1. Traditional linguistics

Nature of language study practical: language study for understanding classic works of ancient times; to teach students.
No logical relationship between form and meaning
Language Theories
1. Traditional linguistics Two controversies
analogists
VS.
conventionalists anomalists
method
• What is a method? ----way of doing sth • Method is an overall plan for the orderly presentation of language material, no part of which contradicts, and all of which is based upon, the selected approach. An approach is axiomatic, a method is procedural.
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Methodology
Methodology is that which links theory and practice
what language is and how language is learned or, more specifically, theories of second language acquisition (SLA).
1. Language theory 1) Traditional linguistics Two controversies
naturalists VS. conventionalists
conventionalists conventionalists
Forms of words directly reflect the nature of objects
Methodology, Approach Method and Technique
Methodology (教学法总称）
Approach （教学理论） Method （教学方法） Technique（教学技巧）
Approach, Method & Technique
• Approach: the theoretical assumptions about how a language is effectively taught in light of the nature of language, language learning & teaching (Anthony, 1972). Method: the overall plans or designs of teaching a language that is based on systematic principles and teaching procedures. Technique: the specific ways/ strategies used in classroom in different kinds of language teaching contexts.
Language is regular and there are rules for people to follow
Language is basically irregular. There are many exceptions and irregularities in the Greek language
approach
• What is an approach? ----the act of getting close to ----way, path, road • In language teaching, approach is a set of assumptions dealing with the nature of language teaching and learning. It describes the nature of the subject matter to be taught…
According to behaviorists: Learning is seen as developing stimulus-response bonds through conditioning. Learning is habit forming. If the behavior to be learned is too complex, it was developed by a process called shaping in which the complex behavior is broken down into small parts, and teach each one at a time, until eventually the whole complex behavior is built up.
design features of language instruction: actual teaching and learning practices as stated objectives, syllabus specifications, observed in the environments where types of activities, language teaching and roles of teachers, learners, materials, learning take place. and so forth.
2. Structural Linguistics 1) Influence of Behaviorism in Psychology
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American psychologist John B.Watson initiated the era of behaviorism. According to Watson, there was no fundamental reference between human behavior and that of other animals. Another forerunner of behaviorism in mid-twentieth-century is Rurrhus Skinner who conducted many amazing experiments on teaching animals behaviors, a famous one of which is “sporty pigeons”.
Different theories about the nature of language and how languages are learned (the approach) imply different ways of teaching language (the method), and different methods make use of different kinds of classroom activity (the technique).