Approaches and Reflections

After reading the definitions of early teaching approaches such as the Direct method, series method and the Funtional Syllabus it makes it easier for me as a Language learner to understand the approaches, methods and techniques that my teachers have used. Having learned a second language and now after learning about these language approaches. It makes it easier for me to reflect on my experience of language learning. I believe that teachers need to take parts of each approach and organize them in a balanced cirruculum based on their students need, their own experiences, student goals and levels of proficiency.

The Functional Syllabus's main proponents are introducing self and other people, name spelling, commands, asking information and describing people. These are not all of the main proponents of Funtional Syllabus but a large amount and these main points describe my first years of lanaguage learning i do see positives from learning the basic forms of communication. However i see other positive aspects of other approaches that were not taken advantage such as the Audiolingual method, which in my eyes has the chance to immerse the student in becoming orally efficient. When i examine myself i see my oral skills as lacking the most, compared to reading, writing, and listening. Having a more balance curriculum can decrease these problems.

When i reflect on my time abroad studying German the teaching methods remind me of the Direct Method. The instructers exclusively used the target language in the classroom and correct pronunciation, grammar and pronunciation were emphasized and only everyday vocabulary were taught. As i look back at this experience i feel that this approach was a good choice by the instructors. Considering this was in my 8th year of learning German and my considerable understanding of German grammar and while my pronunciation was understandable to native speakers the correction of errors made it easier to understand native speakers and my speaking clearer.

The series method is not one that i have personally experienced but one that intrigues me. I see the repetition of vocabulary, subject verb agreement and a large amount of speaking opportunity which can create learner confidence. as major pluses for this approach. It has a high amount of exposure to the language. I feel that exposure to a language is a pivotal element of language acquisition.