08/09/15 Thursday

1. Can you think of times when you learned language by the different historical approaches…
 - Grammar Translation Method? 
I used to be taught by this method during my high school life. Most of my teacher who was in my high school focused on their syllabus and they always explained in terms of some question in our class material. Because of this, we thought that getting good mark is the most important thing for us and it shows my achievement about English class. Normally, I was bored when I learned by this method.

- Audiolingual?
I used to be taught by this method when I was elementary school student. It was the first time to learn English in my life, so it was important to have a exact pronunciation and good listening skill. For example, teacher used to read a article and we followed her speaking. And sometime she used CD for class material, so we could do listening practice.    
- Communicative Language Teaching?
I have been taught by this method since my university life. Before entering university, I had never discussed about certain subject with classmates. However, I have had many times to discuss some subject and shared our own idea by group activity.

2.Which have you experienced the most?
I usually have been taught by grammar translation method. Most teachers were so strict and they were leader of our class. So I couldn't ask some question during class. Also, getting good mark and recording high rank is the most important things as grade achievement in Korea. That's why I have experienced this method the most in my life.

3.Give examples of activities that fit into the different methods. 
For grammar translation method, solving question and explaining that question fit. We can find these
things in korean high school class and toeic class. And dictation which is good for improve listening skill and speaking some article as pronunciation practice fit for audiolingual. Finally, discussion activity during class is a good example for communicative language teaching.
4.In what ways were they effective or not?
The communicative language teaching is the most effective way to learn English to me. When I was in NewZealand, most of my class teacher used this method. So we could lead our class and shared our own idea in English. Discussing something in secend language is very effective to improve my English skill. On the other hand, grammar translation method is not effective way. I used to be bored easily and I couldn't concentrate on class.

5.How do you (will you) balance these approaches as a teacher?
I think it depends on their ages. For under 14, I would like to teach them by audiolingual. As I said, it is important to have a interest in this period. So I will use various class materials to improve their class interest as well as concentration such as animation and music. For more than 14, I would like to teach them by communicative language skill. In that age, they can tell their own opinion so they can lead their class. I want to make them enjoy their class by their ability.