Trend 1: Change in the Goal of Teaching
English
There
are two key changes in the purpose of teaching English. Firstly, as Penny Ur
(2009) noted the goal is “to produce fully competent English-knowing bilinguals
rather than imitation native speakers.” The purpose is not to aspire to become
native speakers of English but to focus on English as a means of communication.
Secondly, English is not viewed as an end in itself but as a means to learn
content such as science and mathematics. Content and language integrate
learning (CLIL) is an approach where the English teacher uses cross-curricular
content and so the students learn both the content and English.
Trend 2: Early Start in Teaching English
Many
countries have started teaching English in earlier grades at school. For
example, since 2011, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam have been introducing English
from Grade 4. Also in 2011, Japan introduced English in the primary stage, and,
in 2012, Dubai introduced English in the KG stage instead of Grade 1. It means
English has become an important part in education
for many countries.
Trend 3: Change in the Approach to Teaching Culture
English Teaching approach of a teacher should be more various and mixed between local content and target language culture. Both
the local or native and international culture dominates in English language
classes. There is less focus on teaching the culture of native speakers of
English unless there is a specific purpose for doing so.
Trend 4: Changing View of an English Teacher
It
is increasingly being recognized that the quality or effectiveness of teachers
is determined by their linguistic, teaching, and intercultural competence
rather than their being a native speaker of English.
Trend 5: Change in Teaching Content and Test Design
Teachers
use a range of local texts or English translations of literature in the
classroom. The use of L1 as appropriate as well as the use of a variety of
accents in listening activities or tests is encouraged in English language
classrooms.
Trend 6: E-Learning
Because
of the proliferation of tablets and smart phones, textbooks will disappear in a
few years. Furthermore, the access to knowledge in terms of flexibility and
mobility has changed drastically. People learn not only by attending the
classroom but they can learn wherever they are. Many online classes or courses
give easiness for us to learn such as webinar, online course, mobile educativeapplication, and etc.
Trend 7: Strategic Teaching and Learning
The
changes of purposes in teaching and learning influence the way of teacher in
teaching as well as the learning style of learners. Teaching in English
language classes focuses on fostering student thinking as well as language
content, outcomes, and learning activities. There are significant and complex
student-teacher interactions inside and outside the classroom. The gamification
of learning is emerging as a way to make language learning more engaging and
relevant to the younger generation.
Trend 8: Teachers as Life-Long Learners
In the past, teacher was well-known as The knower.
Teacher was assumed as a person who knows everything and students just received
what teacher gave. However, it has been changed. In a knowledge-based society
and to remain competitive and employable, teachers are expected to engage in
continuous professional development or professional learning activities from
the beginning to the end of their careers. As with any other profession,
teachers are also expected to assume greater responsibility for their own
professional learning, continually developing their knowledge and skills.
Also read The Challenge of English in Globalization Era
Also read The Challenge of English in Globalization Era
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