In order to get a student to speak a foreign language, he must be trained in communication practice in addition to pattern practice. Communication-oriented methods are to cover the weak points of traditional approaches: Grammar-translation, audiolingu...
In order to get a student to speak a foreign language, he must be trained in communication practice in addition to pattern practice. Communication-oriented methods are to cover the weak points of traditional approaches: Grammar-translation, audiolingual method and cognitive code-learning theory. The author intends to research on four communication- oriented approaches: Situational Reinforcement Method, Audio-visual Method, Microwave Method and Lipsons Method.
a) Situational Reinforcement Method
The Situational Reinforcement Method devised by the Institute of Modern Ianguages in Washington, D.C. attempts to lead students to genuine communication by using a combination of drills. Situational teaching seems to work well mainly because the relevant material the students study fosters transfer to real communication about the subjects they learn.
b) Audio-visual-structural-global Method
This method was designed and implemented in France in a course called Voix et Images de France. It has been developed by the Center for Curriculum Development in Philadelphia. The method consists of four basic steps. Presentation, Explanation, Repetition, and Transposition. In Voix et Images the dialogues are illustrated with carefully constructed film strip and tape.
c) Microwave Method.
The distinctive: feature of a "microwave" course is the emphasis on communicative use of each structural element as soon as it appears. The principal components is a series of "cycles" which, because of their extreme shortness, have been given the name "microwave". Each cycle begins with the introduction of near material and ends when that same material has been used for purposes of communication.
d) Lipson's Method
The purpose of Lipson's Method is to motivate students to create their own sentences through the desire to communicate specific information. The technique has two steps: Presentation of a plot, and questions about the plot. In the very first lesson a cropus of sentences is learned through choral repetition and translation. Drawings or symbols replace translation almost immediately. In this Lipson's method, in order to maintain interest in classroom activity, humorous, almost surrealistic plots are created.
e) Common features of Communication Techniques.
(a) Communication-oriented approach-pattern practice is not enough.
(b) Language activities should be done in the actual communicative situation.
(c) The language of instruction is the target language (direct method).
(d) Avoid mechanical recitation of patterns.
(e) From teacher-centered to student-centered-evoke students' interest. Let the students discover their own ways of learning.
In sum, this thesis has attempted to describe and evaluate four language teaching methods that are expressedly communication oriented. Teachers interested in providing communication practice for their students can add or adapt these techniques without necessarily changing the format of the course they are now using.
In conclusion., the author would like to suggest
(a) The drills should be not only mechanical but also meaningful and communicative.
(b) More communication-oriented curriculum revisions are needed.
(c) It is a dangerous thing to believe in the tenets of only one method and disregard the merits of the others (no panacea).
(d) It is somewhat difficult to apply communication techniques to TESOL in Korea because of large class size, teacher's lack of skills in English and lack of incentives in students' using their communicative skills in actual life. However, we must keep on with the slow strides toward the improvement of TESOL in Korea through::. communication techniques.
(e) Communication technique deserves further examination.