Principle of Naturalness
Mother tongue is learned more easily because a natural environment
exists for learning it. But in the case of a second language like English, the
child encounters it in his class for only about six periods a week. So it
becomes difficult for him to learn that language. So an effort must be made to
provide the child with a natural environment for learning this foreign
language. For this we have to keep the following points in mind:
1)
Talking to the student in foreign language in the
classroom, playground etc.
2)
Encouraging students to talk mostly in English language.
3)
Arranging group discussions.
Principle of Exposure
A child learns her mother tongue more rapidly because he is
exposed to it. Since it is spoken around him he naturally listens it and tries
to speak it. For teaching a foreign language like English the teacher should
try to expose students to an environment loaded with the foreign language. For
this purpose the teacher can take the following steps:
4)
Form English/foreign language speaking club in the school.
5)
Display charts with slogans written in English on walls.
6)
Take students to watch English movies.
7)
Minimizing the use of mother tongue in the classroom to
give students maximum exposure to English language.
Principle of Habitat Formation
Language learning is a skill like learning cycling, swimming etc.
Language is the instrument of all subjects. So it must automatically, i.e., a
habit must be developed. It should be learned to the point that little or no
effort is made to speak it. In the learning process of mother tongue we form
speech habits. In the case of a foreign language learning habits are to be
formed consciously. Besides speech habits a learner has to form habits of
reading and writing. In language teaching following habits should be formulated
in a student:
8)
Habit of listening to sounds and developing a skill to
distinguish different sounds.
9)
Habit of speaking with proper intonation.
10) Habit of
spelling.
11) Habit of
reading aloud with exact articulation.
12) Habit of
silent reading.
13) Habit of
following correct grammar.
14) Habit of
using words in their proper contexts.
15) Habit of
correct pronunciation.
16) Habit of
consulting dictionary.
17) Habit of
visiting library.
18) Habit of
reading newspapers, journals, storybooks etc.
Principle of Motivation
Motivation plays a pivotal role in learning a language. It is the
core of learning. But to motivate students to learn a language is an uphill
task as there is no internal force for learning languages. Therefore special
techniques are required to motivate a students to learn a foreign language.
Below are some of the techniques:
1)
Arousing Technique
In this category are included
those techniques that arouse students from a state of sleepiness to anxiety.
2)
Expectancy Technique
To motivate a students there must
be some clear cut goals to achieve and also an expectancy level to achieve
them. It is thus desirable for teachers to formulate clear cut goals before
students.
3)
Incentive Techniques
In this category are included
those techniques such as prizes, praise, punishments etc.
Principle of Imitation
A good speech is the result of imitating good models of speech. A
teacher must provide a good model before her students. She can make use of
various audio-visual aids such as videos, cds etc. The learner should get good
models of reading and writing.
Principle of Correlation with Life
Teacher should make efforts to relate the subject matter to life,
customs, traditions, peculiarities and characteristics of the society to which
the student belongs. This will make teaching more meaningful hence will help
learning to be transferred to real life situations.
Principle of Proper Proportion and Order
Natural order of learning is made up of learning the four basic
language skills (LSRW-Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). In addition to
following the proper order it is desirable to follow the principle of proper
proportion. i.e., while teaching a language due and equal emphasis be put on
each aspect. No skill should be over emphasized or neglected. In the words of
Palmer.
“It simply means that all items in the whole range of the subject
and aspects must receive an appropriate degree of attention so that the
students’ knowledge of them may form a harmonious whole.”
Principle of Active and Passive Vocabulary
To increase vocabulary is one of the objectives of teaching
English. There are two kinds of vocabulary. Passive vocabulary consists of
those words which are recognized and understood but seldom used in speaking and
writing.
Active vocabulary consists of those words which are understood and
constantly used by the learner while speaking and writing. Teacher should make
a conscious effort to bring the words from passive vocabulary to active
vocabulary.
Principle of Accuracy and Correctness
Accuracy in language means the use of right and exact words. The
selection of words should be right and it should be impressive. Correctness
also implies the accuracy of pronunciation, intonation, spelling, structure and
articulation. Thus the teacher should be both accurate and correct from the
very beginning.
Principle of using Mother Tongue
“When we learned first language, we faced the universe directly
and learned to clothe it with speech. When we learn a second language we tend
to filter the universe through the language already known” opined Robert Paul.
So mother tongue (first language) can be used in teaching a second language.
P. Gurray
opined that “the teaching of mother tongue and the teaching of a foreign
language can support and assist each other”
Principle of Interest
To arouse interest in students a teacher can make use of the
following methods:
1)
Audio-Visual aids, charts, records, video clips etc.
2)
Relating the material to everyday life.
3)
Undertaking various activities such as speaking, reading,
writing etc.
Principle of Learning by Doing
For foreign language acquisition written word, pronunciation,
reading, writing, hearing and speaking are essential. Students must be given a
good practice of this. One can also form small games and activities through
which a child learns without much effort.
Comments
Post a Comment