LECTURE 1Lecturer/ Najla AlQahtani

An Overview of Language Teaching Approaches

Lecture Agenda

The definition of Applied Linguistics Introducing some significant terms in

applied linguistics . Introducing the history of language

teaching prior to the 20th century. Emphasizing the work of some

significant linguists.

What is applied linguistics ?

‘Applied linguistics’ (AL) is one of several academic disciplines focusingon how language is acquired and used in the modern world. It is asomewhat eclectic field that accommodates diverse theoreticalapproaches, and its interdisciplinary scope includes linguistic, psychological and educational topics. Although the field’ s original focus wasthe study of foreign/second languages, this has been extended to coverfirst language issues, and nowadays many scholars would considersociolinguistics and pragmatics to be part of the AL rubric. Recently, ALconferences and journals have reflected the growing influence of psychology-basedapproaches, which in turn is a reflection of the increasing prevalence of cognitive(neuro)science in the study of human mental functions.

Zoltán DörnyeiProfessor of Psycholinguistics, University of Nottingham

What is an Wini DaviesReader in German, Aberystwyth Universityapproach ?

In my discipline (I am a Germanist), applied linguistics is perceived almost exclusively as research into the teaching and learning of the foreign-language, often resulting in the production of teaching materials. However, a broader definition (e.g. Dick Hudson – see references and below) sees applied linguistics as concerned with providing theoretical and empirical foundations for investigating and solving language-related problems in the ‘real world’. This definition would be relevant to some of my research interests; for example, the problems facing speakers of non-standard dialects at schools in Germany. Nevertheless, I tend to regard myself as a sociolinguist rather than an applied linguist, because my main interests are in investigating the use of language as a social practice in a more general way. As is the case for most sociolinguists, I study language

in use in a social context although I may not have specific real-life problems in mind when embarking on research.

What is the different between an Approach, method and technique ?

What is the difference between 1st , 2nd , and foreign language ?

Pre – 20th century Trends

Prior the 20th century , language methodology vacillate between two types of approaches :

1- Getting learners to use a language ( i.e., to speak and understand it )

2- Getting the learners to analyze a language ( i.e., to learn its grammatical rules)

The Classical Greek and medieval Latin period

The Renaissance period

Johann Amos Comenius

The 19th century

Discussion ..

explain the meaning of the inductive and the deductive approaches in language teaching with illustration to the advantages and disadvantages of each.

What is the difference between 1st , 2nd , and foreign language ?

End of lecture