Overview of Language Teaching Methodology

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Overview of Language Teaching Methodology

The word "methodology" is itself often misinterpreted or ill-understood. It is usually
given lip-service as an explanation for the way a given teacher goes about his/her
teaching, a sort of umbrella-term to describe the job of teaching another language.
Most often, methodology is understood to mean methods in a general sense, and in
some cases it is even equated to specific teaching techniques. It does (or should)
in fact mean and involve much more than that. I've found that Brown's (1994:51)
definitions (reflecting current usage at the time and drawn from earlier attempts to
break down and classify elements to do with methodology) are the most useful:
Methodology
The study of pedagogical practices in general (including theoretical underpinnings and related research). Whatever considerations are involved in "how to teach" are
methodological

Approach
Theoretical positions and beliefs about the nature of language, the nature of language learning, and the applicability of both to pedagogical settings

Method
A generalized set of classroom specifications for accomplishing linguistic
objectives. Methods tend to be primarily concerned with teacher and student roles
and behaviors and secondarily with such features as linguistic and subject-matter
objectives, sequencing, and materials. They are almost aways thought of as being
broadly applicable to a variety of audiences in a variety of contexts.
Curriculum/Syllabus
Designs for carrying out a particular language program. Features include a primary
concern with the specification of linguistic and subject-matter objectives,
sequencing, and materials to meet the needs of a designated group of learners in a
defined context.
Technique
Any of a wide variety of exercises, activities, or devices used in the languageclassroom for realizing lesson objectives.

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