L2 Methods: Overview

2. L2 Methods: Overview • Grammar translation • Audio-lingual • The Silent Way • Suggestopedia—Superlearning • Audio-Tutorial • The Community Approach • Total Physical Response (TPR) • TPR Storytelling or TPRS

3. Grammar-Translation • ‘Classic’ WL method • Used for centuries • Premise: ‘exact’ translation possible of L1 into L2, or L2 into L1 • Thus, Je t’aime = I love you.

4. Audio-Lingual • Originally used by U.S. government to teach ‘perfect’ L2 language patterns, pitch, and intonation. • Based on teaching the sounds of the L2 first, before actually seeing the written language • Uses ‘canned’ phrases and recombinationdrills

5. Audio-Lingual Cont’d • Hey, how’s it goin’? • Good,…you? • Not bad. What’cha goin’ to do tonight? • I gotta go home and study. Uhhhh! • Hey, dude, take it easy! See ya tomorrow! • Later!

6. Audio-Lingual Cont’d • Hey, how’s it goin’? • Good,…[not good]…you? • Not bad. [O.K.] What’cha goin’ to do tonight? [later] • I gotta go home [to the library] and study. Uhhhh! • Hey, dude, take it easy! [Have a good one!] See ya tomorrow! • Later!

7. The Silent Way • Words, concepts, and grammatical constructions are represented by colored rods • Teacher models L1 word or phrase and calls upon students to repeat • Teacher uses correct student responses to elicit other students’ responses • Teacher does not conduct a conversation not does he/she give direct feedback

8. Suggestopedia • Based on premise that if one is relaxed and put into an ‘alpha state’ in a non-threatening, low-anxiety environment, one can learn better than traditional ways • The learning environment is decorated in the target language’s motif • Each student is given a new identity in the L2 and becomes that new persona

9. Suggestopedia Cont’d • Classical music is usually played in a low-lighted room where students may sit on the floor or in comfortable seats • The instructor coaxes the students into listening first in the L2, then, repeating the new L2 • Superlearning is supposed to take place.

10. Audio-Tutorial • Students are autonomous learners • Students proceed at their own pace • Individualized learning is the key • Students engaged in all L2 skills, use tapes to listen and record progress, grade their own quizzes and tests • The teacher is the facilitator

11. The Community Approach • Students are positioned in a circle • There is a proficient L2 speaker standing behind each WL student learner • The teacher circulates and facilitates • When L2 learners need assistance in speaking in the target language, the communal helpertells the L2 learner what to say

12. Total Physical Response (TPR) • Follows the Psycholinguistic Model (listening, speaking, reading, writing) • Students respond to commands given by the teacher • When successful with the L2 commands, students may then give the teacher and each other commands in the L2 to follow • TPR is the single most used L2 method to date and has many variations

13. TPR Storytelling • Uses TPR techniques and manipulatives/visuals • Repeats vocabulary in context • Uses a story-telling approach • Heavy interaction with students in a non-threatening, hands-on way • Highly successful