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Teaching English as a foreign language methods, characteristics and comparison, applicability in different contexts

Throughout history, the English language has established itself as the “lingua franca”, making it essential for
people all around to world to become proficient in this language. Teaching English as a foreign language
(TEFL) plays a major/vital role in enabling learners to communicate freely in English.
Our role as teachers is to assess the level of proficiency that the learners in our classrooms already have and
to choose the best method/methods of TEFL.
Methods of teaching English as a foreign language:

1. The first method is the so-called Grammar-translation method (GTM). It is also known as the classical
method of teaching. The Grammar-translation method focuses mainly on grammatical rules, memorization
of vocabulary, translation of texts and doing written exercises. It often neglects the development of crucial
skills like speaking and listening comprehension.
According to some researchers, when the GTM is used: the class is often taught mainly in their mother
tongue and the foreign language is used only during exercises; vocabulary is learned from long list of words;
a lot of time is spent on explaining the grammar in details; a little attention is given to the context of the
texts. They are treated as a way to learn the grammar rules better.
2. The Direct method (DM) is used when the class is taught primarily in the foreign language (in our case
that’s English). Here we have a great use of oral exercises, verbal communication and learning words
through naturally occurring questions from the students, rather than giving them lists with isolated words
like the Grammar-translation method. This method relies mainly on oral skills and little to no attention is
given to the grammar rules.
3. Audio Lingual Method (ALM). This method emphasizes on repetition and memorization of dialogues.
The goal of this method is that the learner should be able to answer quickly during dialogues, speak with an
accurate pronunciation and grammatical structures.
4. Communicative Language Teaching Method (CLTM). This method is learner-centered. It relies on real-
life like communication situations. It uses dialogues, role plays, e-mail communication, phone
conversations, discussions, etc. to develop the learners speaking, reading, listening and writing skills.
5. Task-based method. The lesson is centered around one or several major tasks/problems, which require the
usage of the foreign language. Learners work in groups and try to resolve the problem, while using English
or whatever foreign language they’re learning.
These, of course, are just a small part of the many different teaching methods out that a teacher may want to
implement In his/her classroom.
Comparison of the methods
Each of the methods has its own strengths and weaknesses. Nowadays more and more young teachers use
mainly the Communicative and the Task-based methods, because they’re learner-centered and they also
focus on developing their communication skills, which will probably be one of the most important skills to
posses when looking for a job in the near future. As mentioned above, CLT develops all communicative
skills (reading, listening, speaking and writing), but it’s not the best method when a teacher wants explain
grammar, for example.
The GTM isn’t as popular as it used to be, because the needs of the learners have changed through the years.
In our days it’s much more important to speak freely, be able to write E-mails, or talk with someone on the
phone, rather than knowing your grammar perfectly, but to be unable to use this knowledge in a real-life
situation.
Applicability in different contexts
As I’ve already written, every learner has his/her own needs. That’s why the teachers should be able to
balance between all different types of methods in order to ensure that the learners develop not only their
communication skills, but also grammar, vocabulary, reading skill, etc.
Some people may need to know just the basics of the grammar, but a lot of vocabulary and posses great
communicative skills (Hotel workers for example), while others (those seeking higher education) should
receive a more balanced foreign language education…..