III.

Types of syllabus
(Graves, 2000)
• Structural syllabus
• Situational syllabus
• Functional-Notional syllabus
• Task-based syllabus
• Skill-based syllabus
• Content-based syllabus
• Topic-based syllabus
• Text-based syllabus
• Lexical syllabus
• Multiple syllabus
1. Structural syllabus

Advantages Disadvantages
Grammar is Focuses on only
frequently one aspect of
expected in a language, namely
language class grammar, whereas
and usually in truth there exist
constitutes many more aspects
familiar content to language
2. Situational syllabus
Advantages Disadvantages
- provides for - functions and notions
concrete contexts may be learned in the
within which to learn context of only one
notions, functions, situation, whereas
and structures, thus they may be expressed
making it easier for in a variety of
most learners to situations
envisage - although some
- may motivate situations have a
learners to see that predictable script,
they are learning to unforeseen things can
meet their most happen in any
pressing everyday situation, requiring a
communication change of script or
needs topic
3. Functional – Notional Syllabus
Advantages Disadvantages
- language is used as - the syllabus is limited
vehicle for the to short, formulaic
expression of utterances or
functional meaning exchanges involving
- emphasizes the the functions in
semantic and questions
communicative - learners may not be
dimention rather able to transfer what
than the grammatical they have learned to
new situations but will
only be able to
perform in the limited
situations which they
have rehearsed
4. Task-based Syllabus
Advantages Disadvantages
- tasks are a way of - requires creativity
bringing the real and initiate on the part
world to the of the teacher
classroom - if teachers are
- widely applicable traditional, or do not
- suitable for learners have the time or
of all ages and resources, this type of
backgrounds teaching may be
- functional ability impossible
should be a natural - traditional students
outcome of the may not like it either:
instructional they feel they are not
experience learning anything.
5. Skill -based Syllabus
Advantages Disadvantages
- it is useful when - the degree to which
learners need to ability to perfom tasks
master specific types in a language is
of language, either dependent on or
exclusively or as a independent of overall
part of a broader language proficiency
competency - can be too technical
- relevance to
student-felt needs or
wants is an
advantage
6. Content -based Syllabus
Advantages Disadvantages
- students learn - it can lead to
language and subject premature fossilization
matter due to lack of
simultaneously corrective feedback
- the motivational - it is problematic with
aspect of content beginning or low level
based instruction, adult students
provided that
students find the
content material
interesting
7. Topic -based Syllabus
Advantages Disadvantages
- Interesting and - Uninteresting topics
personalized topics can be de-motivating.
can enhance - Improper topics
motivation, which are too socially
participation and or culturally specific
internalization. may be difficult to
- Teaching around the adapt to all classes or
same topic can teaching situations.
create chances for - Working on the same
recycling and topic for a long time
reinforcing grammar may turn out boring.
and vocabulary.
- Topics may relate to
other courses and
make cross-
curriculum work
possible
In general
Product- Process-
oriented syllabi oriented syllabi

enhances communicative
skills, focuses on the
emphasizes the product of
specification of the
language learning
learning task and activities
that Ss will undertake

Structural approach,
procedural/task-based
situational approach,
approach, content-based
notional/functional
approach
approach
Game: Say the name of the syllabus

A list of communicative functions of language

(e.g. requesting, inviting, describing, reporting,
etc.) and the concepts it expresses (e.g. time,
location, quantity, duration, etc.) that are to be
taught to students

Functional-notional
Game: Say the name of the syllabus

A set of everyday situations in which language

is to be used, such as at the bank, at the
supermarket, at the restaurant, and so on

Situational
Game: Say the name of the syllabus

A list of language skills to be developed and

practiced by students, for example, listening
for gist, listening for specific information,
listening for inferences, and so on.

Skill-based
Game: Say the name of the syllabus

A list of grammar structures to be taught

which are graded according to their level of
difficulty

Structural
Game: Say the name of the syllabus

A list of topics relevant and interesting to

students, such as health, food, clothing, and so
on

Topic-based
Game: Say the name of the syllabus

A list of vocabulary and lexis to be taught to

students

Lexical
Game: Say the name of the syllabus

A combination of items from grammar, lexis,

language functions, situations, topics, tasks,
and different language skills

Multiple syllabus
Game: Say the name of the syllabus

A list of tasks for which language is to be used,

for example, drawing maps, following
directions, following instructions and so on

Task-based syllabus