Language Teaching Methods
The most extraordinary thing about a really good teacher is that he or she transcends accepted educational methods
— Margaret Mead (1901-1978) American cultural anthropologist
Over the years various methods have been used to teach language. They tend to come and go, like fashion. They have their fanatics, and their detractors. In truth, since teachers do not teach but learners learn, no single method is adequate to the task of helping learners become autonomous. Each method has valuable techniques that may be used at the appropriate moment. An understanding of multiple teaching methods better equips the teacher to serve the learner. In this section we look at some of the better-known methods and approaches.
MT = mother tongue. TL = target language (the language being learned)
1890s The Direct Method
1950s The Audiolingual Method
1970s Total Physical Response
1970s The Silent Way
Note that a section on the so-called "post-method era" will follow.