Time-line of FLT (Foreign Language Teaching) Method

Historical overview of foreign language teaching (FLT) method

-          Sixteenth Century : The grammar-Translation method

It was the dominant method for many centuries and was best exemplified by the formal teaching of the classical language (Latin and Greek). Language analysis, memorizing paradigms and complex grammar rules in order to be able to read and translate literary texts and to learn to write similiar texts were supposed to train the mind of the student. The FL was hardly ever used in class and no language communication skills were developed.

-         By the end of nineteenth century: The common term-the direct method

This method presented discussion in the target language as the major priority.

-         In the 1920s and 1930s : The audio-lingual method

The audio-lingual method was used by United States Army for “crash” instruction in foreign language during world war II. It has students listen to or tapes of language models acting in situations.

-         1970s : The cognitive code learning

This approach introduced the four principle language skills for the first time: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Oral communicative competence became the focus. Comprehensible auditory input became important and speaking in the target language began to occur. Learning about the language was overemphasized.

-         In the early 1980s : The natural approach

The method reflects what is sometimes called second  language acquisition tradition and is based on Krashen’s monitor theory. Among the fundamental tenets of the theory is the principle that the only valuable knowledge of a language can be obtained through acquisition, an unconscious process that is the same as first language  acquisition. Within the natural approach teacher should provide learners with comprehensible input that is fine-tuned to a level a litle above the learners’ current level of competence. The focus of classroom activities should be on meaning, not form, and classroom atmosphere should br positive so as keep the affective filter low.

-          The present:

1.     Comunicative language teaching (CLT), it refers to a number of approaches that are based on the belief that language is not just a system of rules but a resource for creating meaning.

2.    Task-based language learning, it represents a new approach to language learning that, in many ways, stands on the opposite end of form-based language learning.

3. Computer-assisted language learning (CALL), It has been confirmed as having a great motivational value. It enables shy learners to practice by speaking up and not feeling anxious as they, for instance, do speech-recognition activities on the computer by  themselves.