A Brief Explanation of Teaching Language Methodologies
Zahorik (1986) argued that there are three main characteristic of language teaching methods: science research conception, theory philosophy conception, art craft conception. These three main conceptions have their own characteristics in applying the delivering of language skills for the learners.
Science Research Conception
Science research conceptions of language teaching are derived from research and are supported by experimentation and empirical investigation. These are following strategies which used in science research conception:
Operationalizing learning principles.
In this part, teaching method which is will be used in the classroom comes from the research. The mastery learning and programmed learning is the main principles of this part, meaning that the teaching method used in the classroom is running under a program. These are the examples of teaching method used in operationalizing learning principles:
Audiolingualism
Task Based Language
Learner Training
Learner training is an approach which draws on research on the cognitive styles and learning strategies used by learners in carrying out different classroom learning tasks. Once successful learning strategies are identified, these can be taught to the other learners.
Following a tested model
In this approach, involves teacher to apply an experimental research to teaching. “ a view of good teaching is developed through logical reasoning and previous research; good teaching is defined in terms of specific acts” (zahorik,1986). Meaning that teaching method is not only following some famous theory but the theory itself is logical and reasonable to use. It aims to examined a teaching method through a real act and test it to the previous research. In addition, to find a better teaching method to support the learning process.
Doing what effective teacher do
The strategy involve teacher to identify an effective teacher and studying their teaching practices. Effective teacher is seen as teachers who are typically defined as those whose students perform a better on standardized achievement tests.
There are twelve characteristic of science research conception.
1. Instruction is guided by preplanned curriculum.
2. There are high expectations for student learning.
3. Students are carefully oriented to lesson.
4. Instruction is clear and focused.
5. There are smooth and efficient classroom routines.
6. When students do not understand, they are retaught.
7. Class time is used for learning.
8. Learning progress is monitored closely.
9. Instructional group formed in the classroom fit instructional needs.
10. Standard for classroom behavior is high.
11. Personal interactions between teachers and students are positive.
12. Incentives and rewards for students are used to promote excellence.
Theory philosophy conceptions
Teaching conception which are derived from what ought to work are essentially theory based or rationalist in approach, whereas those which are derived from beliefs about what is viewed as morally right are valued based approaches.
Theory based approaches
The theory is ascertained through the use of reason or rational thought. Systematic and principled thinking, rather than empirical investigation, is used to support the method. The conception of the teaching that teacher let them to think through their logical argumentation and not tend to depend on what the teacher gives in the classroom. These are the examples of theory based approaches;
Communicative language teaching
The silent way
Another way to develop a teaching model which is concern on the role of education in society. The essential of learning here is collaborated into situation on the society, collaborative learning takes a place in here that learning is not only between teacher and students but also it involved friends as a tutor to learn each other. These are some following teaching method used in this field:
Team teaching
Humanistic Approach
The Learner Centered Curriculum
One of the number of terms used to refer approaches in language teaching which are based on the belief that learners are self directed and responsible as a decision maker. Learners are seen to learn in different ways and to have different needs and interest.
Reflective Teaching Method
Art Craft Conceptions
Teaching is seen as an art of craft which is something which depends on the teacher’s individual skill and personality. A good teacher is a person who assesses the needs and possibilities of a situation that creates anuses practices that have promise for that situation. This approaches seek to develop teaching as a unique set of personal skills which teachers apply in different ways according to the demands of specific situations.
The essential skills of teaching in this approach are:
· Treat each teaching situation as unique
· Identify the particular characteristics of each situation.
· Try out different teaching strategies.
· Develop personal approaches to teaching.
Acknowledgement
Hearwasty, G. (2010). language teaching methodologies; students handbook. Sampoerna School of education. 2010. Jakarta.
