Theory & Practice of

ELL
Jasmin Colon, Samantha Milite, Nathan Goberdon, and
Brianne Niewinski
Objectives
Students will be able to differentiate between various
pertinent forms of ELL instructional methods.

Students will use this knowledge in answering key

questions to supplement their understanding of the
material presented.
The Direct Method
In this method the teaching is done entirely in the
target language
The learner is not allowed to use his or her mother
tongue. Grammar rules are avoided and there is emphasis
on good pronunciation.
The Direct Method was the brainchild of Charles Berlitz,
a nineteenth-century linguist whose schools of language
learning are famous throughout the world.
Imitation of the way a child learns their primary
language.
Direct Method Inside The Classroom
Students take turns reading aloud
Usually dialogue or anecdotal passage
Usually done in small class sizes
Teacher ask questions in the target language
Students have to respond in the target language
The teacher dictates the passage to the student, which
they then would read back to the class themselves
Grammar-Translation
Learning is largely by translation to and from the target
language. Grammar rules are to be memorized and long
lists of vocabulary learned by heart.
There is little or no emphasis placed on developing oral
ability.
Audio-Lingual Method
The theory behind this method is that learning a language means
acquiring habits
There is much practice of dialogues of every situations
New language is first heard and extensively drilled before being seen in
its written form.
Also known as the Army Method because it was adopted by the military
during the Second World War when it became evident that most Americans
were hopelessly monolingual.
Consists of 10 minute drill periods, focusing on reading and
memorization of dialogue.
The Structural Approach
This method sees language as a complex of grammatical
rules which are to be learned one at a time in a set
order.
An example of this method is the verb "to be" is
introduced and practiced using the verb in different
tenses.
Total Physical Response (TPR)
TPR works by having the learner respond to simple
commands such as "Stand up", "Close your book", "Go to
the window and open it."
The method stresses the importance of oral comprehension.
Wanted to focus on an environment more responsive to
imperatives.
It also wanted to focus specific language and prompts
with the language.
Communicative Language Teaching
(CLT)
The focus of this method is to enable the learner to
communicate effectively and appropriately in the various
situations she would be likely to find herself in.
The content of CLT courses are functions such as
inviting, suggesting, complaining or notions such as the
expression of time, quantity, location.
The Silent Way
This is so called because the aim of the teacher is to
say as little as possible in order that the learner can
be in control of what he wants to say.
No use is made of the mother tongue.
Usage of sound/color charts is essential
Encourages discovery rather than memorization.
Teacher is to only intervene if the student is completely
lost or off task.
Community Language Learning
In this method attempts are made to build strong personal
links between the teacher and student so that there are
no blocks to learning.
There is much talk in the mother tongue which is
translated by the teacher for repetition by the student.
Immersion
ELL students are immersed in the English language for the whole of the
school day and expected to learn math, science, humanities etc. through
the medium of the target language, English.

Immigrant students who attend local schools find themselves in an

immersion situation
refugee children from Bosnia attending German schools
Puerto Rican immigrants in American schools
Forcing the student into the environment, essentially following the
English Only approach where the student has no access to native tongue.
Task-based Language Learning
The focus of the teaching is on the completion of a task which in itself
is interesting to the learners. Learners use the language they already
have to complete the task and there is little correction of errors.

Ex: In the topic of ecology, for example, students are engaged in a number
of tasks culminating in a poster presentation to the rest of the class. The
tasks include reading, searching the internet, listening to taped material,
selecting important vocabulary to teach other students etc.
Outdated ELD Methods/Models of L2
Language Acquisition

Behaviorist Model/Theory Instruction based on the idea that the mind

is a blank slate and practice based on drills focusing on specific
grammatical forms

Suggestopedia Method of learning languages focuses on communication

and emphasizes relaxation, exercise and music
Think-Pair-Share
1. Which method or practice do you think is most effective and why?

2. Which method or practice do you think is least effective and why?

3. Which of these methods would assist a visual learner who is learning English as
a second language?
Do You Remember What You Learned?

Kahoot
 Sources
Taber, Joan. A Brief History of ESL Instruction: Theories, Methodologies, and Upheavals. TESL, TESl,
seattlecentral.edu/faculty/jgeorg/TESLSCCC/ABiefHistory.htm.

Theories/Methods/Strategies/Research. Digital Chalkboard, California Department of Education,

www.mydigitalchalkboard.org/portal/default/Content/Viewer/Content?action=2&scId=100051&sciId=1405

Shoebottom, Paul. Language Teaching Methodologies. Language Teaching Methods, Frankfurt International School,
esl.fis.edu/teachers/support/method.htm.