Approach, Method and Technique

An approach refers to the general assumptions about language and language learning, including the nature of language, how it is acquired, and conditions that promote acquisition. A method implements an approach through decisions about skills, roles, procedures, content, and sequencing. Techniques are specific classroom activities that carry out a method, such as translation and grammar exercises for the grammar-translation method.

Uploaded by

Videos Bank

Available Formats

Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

0% found this document useful (0 votes)

69 views

Approach, Method and Technique

Uploaded by

Videos Bank

Available Formats

Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

You are on page 1/ 4

Approach, Method, and

Technique
According to Edward Anthony’s model (1965) approach is the level at which
assumptions and beliefs about language and language learning are specified;
method is the level at which theory is put into practice and at which choices are
made about the particular skills to be taught, the content to be taught, and the order
in which the content will be presented; technique is the level at which classroom
procedures are described.

Approach
Edward Anthony (1965) An approach is a set of correlative assumptions dealing
with the nature of language and the nature of language learning and teaching.

An approach refers to the general assumptions about what language is and about
how learning a language occurs (Richards and Rodgers, 1986).

People use the term approach to refer to theories about the nature of language and
language learning which are the source of the way things are done in the classroom
and which provide the reasons for doing them. An approach describes how
language is used and how its constituent parts interlock - it offers a model of
language competence. An approach describes how people acquire their knowledge
of the language and makes statements about the conditions which will promote
successful language learning.

In other words, an approach to language teaching describes:

 The nature of language,

 How knowledge of a language is acquired,
 And the conditions that promote language acquisition.

Three different views of The nature of language

1. Structural view: It views language as a system of structurally related

element. generally defined in terms of phonological units (e.g., phonemes),
grammatical units (e.g., clauses, phrases, sentences), grammatical operations
(e.g., adding, shifting, joining, or transforming elements), and lexical items
(e.g., function words and structure words).
2. Functional view: It regards language as a vehicle for the expression of
functional meaning. This theory emphasizes the semantic and
communicative dimension rather than merely the grammatical characteristics
of language, and leads to a specification and organization of language
teaching content by categories of meaning and function rather than by
elements of structure and grammar.
3. Interactional view: It sees language as a vehicle for the realization of
interpersonal relations and social interaction between individuals.

Method
A method is a practical implementation of an approach. A theory is put into
practice at the level of method. It includes decisions about:

 The particular skills to be taught,

 The roles of the teacher and the learner in language teaching and learning,
 The appropriate procedures and techniques,
 The content to be taught,
 And the order in which the content will be presented.

It is a sort of an organizing plan that relies on the philosophical premises of an

approach.

An example of a method is the grammar-translation method. This method employs

the memorization of various grammar rules and the translation of second language
material to the student’s native language.

Technique
Technique is “implementational”, referring to “ a particular trick, strategem, or
contrivance used to accomplish an immediate objective.” Techniques carry out a
method which is consistent with an approach. It is implementational, meaning that
a technique is something that actually takes place in language teaching or learning
in the classroom.

Techniques refer to certain practices and behaviors that operate in teaching a

language according to a particular method. They are the actual moment-to-moment
classroom steps that lead to a specified outcome.
Typical Techniques of GTM

 Translation of a Literary Passage (Translating target language to native

language and vice-versa)
 Antonyms/Synonyms (Finding antonyms and synonyms for words or sets of
words).
 Deductive Application of Rule (Understanding grammar rules and their
exceptions, then applying them to new examples)
 Fill-in-the-blanks (Filling in gaps in sentences with new words or items of a
particular grammar type).
 Memorization (Memorizing vocabulary lists, grammatical rules and
grammatical paradigms)
 Use Words in Sentences(Students create sentences to illustrate they know
the meaning and use of new words)
 Composition(Students write about a topic using the target language)

Understanding Approach, Method and Technique:

Earth is (roughly) a sphere, spinning in outer space. If you were from another
planet, from which direction could you APPROACH the Earth? Theoretically, you
could approach from any and every direction. Typically, you will choose an
approach that is the most efficient and useful. This may turn out to be the wrong
approach, in the end — or it may be the right one.

What method will you employ? That depends on your approach. You may use a
spaceship. That gives you maximum maneuverability. You can change your mind
as to the approach until the last moment. You may use a rocket, assuming that all
you want to do is to get something or someone on Earth without any plan to get the
equipment and/or personnel off the Earth. The direction from which you are
approaching will dictate your choice, to a large extent. You may see certain things
very clearly from a particular angle of approach. On the other hand, you will miss
many things also.

Technique can be the most and/or the least important thing. You may use stealth.
You may use speed. You may engage with people — or not. You may use some
combination of techniques.
In the end, method and technique are simply “things” or means to an end. These
things will largely depend on your approach. And your approach will depend on
your needs, assumptions, abilities, tools, and, most importantly, your ultimate
objective.

References:
1. https://www.myenglishpages.com/blog/approach-method-procedure-and-
technique/
2. https://www.slideshare.net/ElihSutisnaYanto/approach-method-and-
technique-in-language-learning-and-teaching?from_action=save
3. https://educationalresearchtechniques.com/2015/03/16/approach-method-
procedure-and-techniques-in-language-learning/
4. https://slideplayer.com/slide/6250693/