Methods used for teaching a Second Language

The Audiolingual Method

This method is based on the principles of behavior psychology. It adapted many of the principles and procedures of the Direct Method, in part as a reaction to the lack of speaking skills of the Reading Approach. New material is presented in the form of a dialogue. Based on the principle that language learning is habit formation, the method fosters dependence on mimicry, memorization of set phrases and over-learning. Structures are sequenced and taught one at a time. Structural patterns are taught using repetitive drills. Little or no grammatical explanations are provided; grammar is taught inductively. Skills are sequenced: Listening, speaking, reading and writing are developed in order. Vocabulary is strictly limited and learned in context. Teaching points are determined by contrastive analysis between L1 and L2. There is abundant use of language laboratories, tapes and visual aids. There is an extended pre-reading period at the beginning of the course. Great importance is given to precise native-like pronunciation. Use of the mother tongue by the teacher is permitted, but discouraged among and by the students. Successful responses are reinforced; great care is taken to prevent learner errors. There is a tendency to focus on manipulation of the target language and to disregard content and meaning.
Hints for Using Audio-lingual Drills in L2 Teaching

1. 1. The teacher must be careful to insure that all of the utterances which students will make are actually within the practiced pattern. For example, the use of the AUX verb have should not suddenly switch to have as a main verb.
   2. Drills should be conducted as rapidly as possibly so as to insure automaticity and to establish a system.
   3. Ignore all but gross errors of pronunciation when drilling for grammar practice.
   4. Use of shortcuts to keep the pace o drills at a maximum. Use hand motions, signal cards, notes, etc. to cue response. You are a choir director.
   5. Use normal English stress, intonation, and juncture patterns conscientiously.
   6. Drill material should always be meaningful. If the content words are not known, teach their meanings.
   7. Intersperse short periods of drill (about 10 minutes) with very brief alternative activities to avoid fatigue and boredom.
   8. Introduce the drill in this way:
   a. Focus (by writing on the board, for example)
   b. Exemplify (by speaking model sentences)
   c. Explain (if a simple grammatical explanation is needed)
   d. Drill
   9. Don’t stand in one place; move about the room standing next to as many different students as possible to spot check their production. Thus you will know who to give more practice to during individual drilling.
   10. Use the "backward buildup" technique for long and/or difficult patterns.
   --tomorrow
   --in the cafeteria tomorrow
   --will be eating in the cafeteria tomorrow
   --Those boys will be eating in the cafeteria tomorrow.
   11. Arrange to present drills in the order of increasing complexity of student response. The question is: How much internal organization or decision making must the student do in order to make a response in this drill. Thus: imitation first, single-slot substitution next, then free response last.