Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching 3rd edition (Teaching Techniques in English as a Second Language)

Reviewing the Principles

1 What are the goals of the teacher?

            The teacher seeks   to  provide students    with    access  to  authentic   language.   The

language should be used in interaction with others and in relation to knowledge
creation. Learning to use technology to support one’s language learning is also
important because it makes students more autonomous learners.

2 What is the role of the teacher? What is the role of the students?

            The teacher’s   role    is  to  plan    activities  that    students    accomplish  via technological

means. Then the teacher monitors their work and guides the students as they learn
the language. The students’ role is to be actively involved in using the language, in
taking risks with the language by connecting with others, and in exploring
information via the target language. Students help each other to learn.

3 What are some characteristics of the teaching–learning process?

            Learning    languages   through the use of  technology  brings  learners    into    contact with

authentic language use. Student-generated language is what is focused upon. Since
it is understood that language learning is a non-linear process, there is no particular
pre-set order to the language items that are learned. Language is emergent,
dynamic, and continuously evolving. It is influenced both by the topical focus and
by the personal relationships that are developing. Cultivating students’ language
awareness is important. Much online work involves reading and writing; therefore,
a good portion of class time involves speaking and listening in the target language.
A language is learned by using it (emergentism—Ellis and Larsen-Freeman 2006).

4 What is the nature of student–teacher interaction? What is the

nature of student–student interaction?

            The teacher guides  the process while   students    enjoy   a   great   deal    of  autonomy    over

what is focused on and on how the tasks are achieved. Student-to-student
interaction can take a number of forms, including students working together on
websites or blogs, editing one another’s writing, and participating in online
discussions, called ‘online chats.’

5 How are the feelings of the students dealt with?

            Students    are motivated   by  online  tasks.  They    are able    to  choose  how they    wish    to

represent themselves in their profiles on social networks and in online
communities. They enjoy autonomy in what they want to focus on and learn about.