Introduction to Approach, Method, and Technique

Until now, it is not easy to differentiate between approach, method

and technique. Here is some explanation and example of approach,
method and technique.     

I.       Teaching Approach

     1. Description

      Approach encompasses the whole orientation of teaching. Approach is the broadest of the three, making technique the most specific, and the method found in between approach and technique.

     

      An approach is an enlightened viewpoint toward teaching. Approach gives the overall wisdom; it provides direction, and sets expectations to the entire spectrum of the teaching process. Furthermore, approach sets the general rule or general principle to make learning possible.

Kinds of approach in general

a. Student-Centered Approach

Student-centered approach is learning approach that focuses on the learner rather than the teacher. Student-centered teaching is based on the constructivist model in which students construct rather than receive or assimilate knowledge.

b.  Teacher-Centered Approach

Teacher – centered learning is the approach of teaching a lesson in front of a classroom in which the teacher active gives information to the students. It involves planning for instruction, implementing the instructional plan, and evaluating students’ learning toward the instructional objectives. Teacher-centered learning is useful for conveying new information and materials to small or large groups at one time. In simple words, Teacher-centered learning means that the teacher is the person who is informing knowledge or information to the student and thee student is the receiver of this knowledge.

II. METHOD

A. Description

    

      Method is the overall plan for the proper presentation of language material. It is based on selected approach and procedure.

   

    A method is an organized, orderly, systematic, and well-planned procedure aimed at facilitating and enhancing students’ learning.  It is undertaken according to some rule, which is usually psychological in nature. That is, it considers primarily the abilities, needs, and interests of the learners. Method is employed to achieve certain specific aims of instruction. To make it as an effective instrument, it should be presented with certain amount of efficiency and ease. More so, the teaching method aims to achieve greater teaching and learning output, thus saving time, efforts and even money on the part of both the teacher and the learner. It directs and guides the teacher and the students in undertaking any class lesson or activity.

One must remember that there is no such thing as the best method. Thus, there is no single correct way to teach a class. Instead, there are many good ways of teaching the students.

    B. Some example of methods in teaching languages as a foreign language or second language. Here are the examples:

1. The grammar translation method

2. The direct method

3. The audio-lingual method

4.  Silent Way  

5. Communicative language teaching

6. Participatory Learning

7. Total Physical Response (TPR)

III.             TECHNIQUE

A. Description

    

       Technique is a procedure or skill for completing a specific task. These are the tricks that can be taught to another teacher. Also a lot of the in-services and workshops all teachers attend offer little tidbits of games, activities, and actions that teachers can use to achieve certain goals in the classroom.

      

     The procedural variation of method is technique. Technique encompasses the personal style of the teacher in carrying out specific steps of the teaching process. Through technique, teachers enable to develop, create and implement, using her distinctive way, the procedures (method) of teaching. Teaching English language learners can be challenging, problems seem to arise from all directions. However, this challenge doesn't have to rub off on onto your students. The following are ideas and techniques to spice up your ESL classroom and make lessons more interesting and effective.

B. Some examples of techniques in teaching process are as follows:

1.     Repeat and re-phrase

2.     Music and jazz chant activities

3.      Visual aids, realia, maps, pictures, multimedia:

4.     Cooperative Groups, Peer coaching:  

5.     Pre-instruction activities (semantic webbing, graphic organizers, KWL charts):

6.     Listening game as a fun technique

7.     Telling a Story as an Interesting technique