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Jeremy Harmer - Language Approach

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72 views3 pages

Jeremy Harmer - Language Approach

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Jeremy Harmer, a prominent figure in English Language Teaching (ELT), is best

known for his practical and learner-centered approach to language teaching. His
methodologies are grounded in the communicative approach, emphasizing the
importance of interaction, engagement, and contextualized learning. Harmer's
ideas have significantly influenced how English is taught globally, particularly to
non-native speakers. Below are the main aspects of Harmer's language teaching
philosophy and approach:

1. Communicative Language Teaching (CLT):

• Harmer advocates for teaching language in meaningful contexts to develop


learners' communicative competence.

• The focus is on real-life communication, rather than rote memorization or


abstract grammar exercises.

• Activities like role-plays, discussions, and task-based learning help


students practice using the language naturally.

2. The ESA Model (Engage, Study, Activate):

Harmer's ESA model is a flexible framework for structuring language lessons. It


emphasizes a balance between engagement, instruction, and active language use:

1. Engage:

o Capturing students’ interest and motivation at the start of the


lesson.

o Activities include games, discussions, or multimedia to make


learning enjoyable.

2. Study:

o Focusing on specific language points, such as grammar, vocabulary,


or pronunciation.

o Teachers may use guided practice, explanations, or discovery-based


learning.

3. Activate:

o Encouraging students to use the language in creative, free-flowing


ways.

o Examples include group projects, role-plays, or writing tasks.


This cycle ensures lessons are dynamic, interactive, and adaptable to different
learning contexts.

3. The Role of the Teacher:

Harmer highlights the importance of the teacher's role in creating a supportive and
effective learning environment. Teachers act as:

• Facilitators: Guiding students toward autonomous learning.

• Encouragers: Motivating students and building their confidence.

• Language resources: Providing accurate models and explanations.

4. Skills Integration:

• Harmer emphasizes integrating the four core language skills (listening,


speaking, reading, writing) into lessons.

• He encourages teachers to design lessons where students practice


multiple skills simultaneously, reflecting real-world language use.

5. Contextualized Learning:

• Harmer stresses the importance of teaching language in context, making it


relevant to the learners' needs and experiences.

• Authentic materials, such as news articles, advertisements, or videos, are


used to expose students to real-world language.

6. Motivation and Engagement:

• Harmer believes that motivation is a key driver of language learning


success.

• Teachers should create a positive atmosphere, offer varied activities, and


address learners' individual interests and goals.

7. Varied Methodologies:
While Harmer supports the communicative approach, he advocates for a
balanced use of methods tailored to the specific classroom situation. These
include:

• Grammar-Translation Method: For specific grammar-focused lessons.

• Audio-Lingual Method: For drilling and repetition when appropriate.

• Task-Based Learning: For real-world application of language skills.

8. Error Correction and Feedback:

• Harmer emphasizes constructive feedback, encouraging students to see


errors as opportunities for growth rather than failures.

• Teachers should balance when to correct (e.g., during study phases) and
when to let errors slide (e.g., during fluency activities).

9. Student Autonomy:

• Harmer promotes empowering learners to take responsibility for their own


learning through activities like:

o Self-assessment.

o Goal-setting.

o Project-based learning.

Impact of Harmer’s Approach:

• Harmer’s work has profoundly influenced English language teaching,


especially in the development of engaging, learner-focused classrooms.

• His ideas have been foundational for teacher training programs and are
featured in his books, such as The Practice of English Language Teaching.

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