I. Method as integration of theory and practice

Over the last years a number of method, the audiolingual methods have emerged, namely the grammar-translation method, total physical response, the silent way, the communicative approach and so on.

The language teacher must respond to a number of variables, which are classified by Brumfit (1984):

1. At the most general level the situation will be constrained by national variables:

1) National educational aims in general

2) National educational aims for language teaching

3) The nature of the social situation which causes particular language to be taught.

2. These general factors will significantly affect local variables:

1) Through official policy decisions, or lack of decision of

a) Size of class

b) Degree of compulsion

c) Quantity and intensity of instruction allowed

d) Amount of administrative support offered to the teacher

e) Physical resources available

2) Through the unofficial climate of opinion in relation to

a) Control, class relationship and discipline

b) Degree of interference tolerated

c) Freedom of maneuver allowed to the teacher (the extent to which textbooks and official syllabus can be criticized and changed, etc.)

3. Pupil variables, including:

1) Aptitude for language

2) Attitudinal factors

3) Motivation

4) Age

5) Nature of previous experience of learning, and of language learning

4. Teacher variables, including:

a) Aptitude

b) Attitude

c) Motivation

d) Age

e) Previous experience

f) Training

Richards and Rogers hold a similar view of methods. They conceptualize method as composed of approach, design and procedure. The elements of each of these are summarized in the figure.

Method:

1) Approach:

a) a theory of the nature of language

b) A theory of the nature of language of learning.

2) Design: the general and specific objective of the method

a) A syllabus model

b) Types of learning and teaching activities

c) Learner roles

d) Teacher roles

e) The role of instructional materials

3) Procedure: classroom techniques, practices, and behaviors observed when the method is used:

a) --resources in terms of time, space, and equipment

b) --interactional patterns observed in lesson

c) --tactics and strategies used by teachers and learners when the method is being used