TPR (Total Physical Response)

 Hello, hello, hello! Welcome back to my blog👋👀

Total Physical Response (TPR) is a method of teaching language or vocabulary concepts by using physical movement to react to verbal input. Its purpose is to create a brain link between speech and action to boost language and vocabulary learning.

Based on the teaching of its creator, James Asher, the more often a memory connection is traced, the stronger the memory association and the more likely it will be remembered. Its characteristics are:

•      Students can initially learn one part of the language rapidly by moving their bodies.
•      Meaning in the target language can often be conveyed through actions.
•      The student’s understanding of the target language should be developed before speaking.
•    The imperative is a powerful linguistic device through which the teacher can direct student behavior.

SWOT

S – It is a good tool for learning vocabulary,

W – It is limited since everything cannot be explained with this method. It must be combined with other approaches; Also, it can be a challenge for shy students.

O – Review and practice words with students multiple times to ensure learning.

T –  If this method is widely used, it can cause displeasure in students. 

Activity:

With this method we were first asked what signals we do with our body and that have a meaning that we all know, Then, we thought of children's songs that most of them have a dance and you have to follow instructions.

We did this exercise of making a small group and we sang the song "If You're Happy and You Know It" and we added new commands and it was fun.

Well, that's all I have to say about this method. See you next time!👻

The Silent Way

 Welcome back, now it's time to talk a little about The Silent Way, make yourself comfortable, and let me explain a little bit✌

This method was founded in the early 70´s by the mathematician and educator Caleb Gattegno. It is based on the premise that the teacher should be silent as much as possible in the classroom but the learner should be encouraged to produce as much language as possible. Language learning can be enhanced in three main ways:

•  Discovery rather than teaching
•   Problem-solving in the target language 
• The use of physical tools (Rods, realia, colorful flashcards)

The basic principle of this method is “Teaching must be subordinated to learning” which means that it should be related to the search for rules given to the student in the cognitive code approach.  

Characteristics:

• Start with familiar sounds
• Teachers help only if it´s necessary. Allow students to use their own Knowledge of language learning.
• The teacher takes a back seat. The more you help- the less they learn.
•  Use of physical objects.

 Some techniques that can be applied are:

• Sound – color chart
• Teacher´s silence
• Word chart
• Rods / Cuisenaire rods (sentence structure, storytelling)

A    Activity: 

      We used the rods on two occasions, the first time we made a house and the exercise was simple, each color was subject, verb, and complement, we created a figure and then removed the rods as we were forming the sentence.

 

     Then the second time we worked with the IPA symbols and we used the same rods to form an figure, we were going to do a mini-story, this time it was difficult because we had a phonemic list that we had to take into account. 

     

SWOT

S – You get used to the IPA symbols of the words, creativity.

W –  If you don’t have that much vocabulary you won’t be able to create sentences.

O – You are going to put your mind to work and expand your vocabulary and creativity.

T – Students can get stressed because they think too much with limited time. 

That's all for now, I hope this entry helps you to learn a little about the Silent Way. See you very soon! 😎

The Audiolingual Method

Hello, it's a pleasure to have you here again!👀 Now it's the turn of the Audiolingual Method, let me tell you about it 👌

This method of teaching had its origins during World War II when it became known as the Army Method. The Audiolingual method emphasizes the teaching of listening and speaking before de reading and writing, and its main training technique uses dialogues as the main form of language presentation and drills.

The objective of the audiolingual method is accurate pronunciation and grammar, the ability to respond quickly and accurately in speech situations, and knowledge of sufficient vocabulary to use with grammar patterns.

Some techniques that can be applied with the Audio-Lingual method are:

• Repetition drill: This drill is often used to teach the lines of the dialogue. Students are asked to repeat the teacher’s model as accurately and as quickly as possible.
• Substitution drill: The students repeat the line from the dialogue which the teacher has given them, substituting the cue into the line in its proper place.
• Question-and-answer drill: The drill gives students practice with answering questions.
• Transformation Drills: Students change sentences usually from affirmative to negative.

Activity:

Unfortunately, I don't have a photo but I will explain what the activity was like.

We started the class practicing the first two techniques, we made a circle and the teacher explained the first exercise that only one-half of the circle would do, the dynamic was that we would introduce ourselves by saying our name and then the name of those who passed before, that is, we had to remember all the names and at the end say ours, in my case I was the third so it was not complicated, but I saw how hard it was for those who were last.

Then, the other half of the circle had to say their favorite fruit and form the sentence "Every day when I get up I wash my _____" and they said the fruit, it was really fun.

SWOT

S – The students are active in the class, classes are more interesting, and the speaking and listening skills are more drilled.

W – Sets aside from the writing, and poor grammar skills, some meanings of words can be learned only in a linguistic and cultural context.

O – The pronunciation is more controlled, improve vocabulary by listening and repeating.

T – Grammatical problems, unable to use the patterns fluently in natural speech situations.

That's all my friends, I hope this entry helps you to learn a little about The Audiolingual Method. See you soon at the next entry! 💁

The Direct Method

Hello everyone! Welcome back to my blog! 👋 This week we learned about The Direct Method here is a little bit of what was developed in class. 

The direct method of teaching was developed as a response to the Grammar-Translation method. Also, is based on the direct involvement of the student when speaking, and listening to, the foreign language in common everyday situations. Consequently, there is lots of oral interaction, and spontaneous use of the language.

The focus of the lessons is on good pronunciation, often introducing learners to phonetic symbols before they see standard writing examples.

Characteristics:

• Lessons are in the target language
• Grammar was taught inductively.
• Only everyday vocabulary and sentences were taught.
• Correct pronunciation and grammar were emphasized.

In contrast with the GTM, the Direct Method is on target. It can be very effective at creating fluent speakers of the target language who can actually use it to get by in day-to-day situations. All of these techniques emphasize the Direct Method's core strength teaching students to be able to speak the target language rather than merely be able to translate it.

SWOT

S – Grammar is taught inductively, Instructions are given in the target language, and this method is focused on question-answer patterns.

W – There is no attention to some areas like reading and writing, it is not convenient for large classes.

O – Chance for students to improve their knowledge of Grammar and to excel in their pronunciation, it is a good method for intermediate and advanced teachers to make students´ skills float.

T – For being focused on oral performance and pronunciation, teachers will neglect reading and writing activities. A suitable teaching method must fulfill the four skills activities: Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening. 

I hope this entry helps you to learn a little about the Direct Method. See you soon! 👋

The Grammar Translation Method

The first topic we discussed was GTM (Grammar Translation Method) this method was originally designed to teach and was born out of the need for power and to understand the language, likewise, it had the initiative to teach the language because it was taken for granted that everyone acquired the language from a young age.

In grammar-translation classes, students learn grammatical rules and then apply those rules by translating sentences between the target language and the native language. The method has two main goals: to enable students to read and translate literature written in the target language and to further students’ general intellectual development.

It is characterized as follows:

• Classes are taught in the mother tongue
• Little or no attention is given to pronunciation.
• Reading difficult texts is begun early.
•  Long, elaborate explanations of the intricacies of grammar are given.

GTM focuses on the application of grammar and correct sentence structure. This is especially helpful in teaching students how to write and read in another language, allowing them to explore interchangeable words and phrases.

SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)

S – Students learn a lot of vocabulary, Reading and writing skills are excelled, improving students´ memory.

W – Poor listening and speaking, Unnatural Pronunciation, it´s not interactive and engaging for students.

O – Chance of learning a new language using textbooks, Students can learn vocabulary not only in the target language but also in their mother tongue.

T –  Classes may turn boring; Students might not be accustomed to translating word by word, and more talking time between students. 

That's all from the first topic, see you in the next one! Thank you!✌

WELCOME! 🤩

Hi! My name is Alexia González and welcome to my blog! 👋

I study Translation and Interpretation and my goal for this career is to be able to express myself correctly in another language, in this case, English.
Now that I think about it, it's funny that I'm studying this because I'm an introvert and this career requires many social skills, but I'll do my best anyway.

This blog is exclusively about English Didactics, I will write a little about the topics seen and what I understood about each one, I will also tell the dynamics that were done in the class while we were learning. I hope you enjoy my journey in my new blog.