THE SILENT WAY METHOD

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THE SILENT WAY METHOD

• Principles and Techniques

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PRINCIPLES

• Teacher goals
• Lang for self-expression students dev.
  Independence inner criteria
• Teacher/student roles teacher technician to
  focus attn on prior knowledge students actively
  explore language
• Process sound/pronun introduced first thru
  sound-color Fidel charts simulated sits. Focus
  on single structures students prompted by
  minimal cues students asked to describe
  reactions stud. respons. encouraged
• Lang/culture inseparable..no fixed linear
  structured syllabus develops according to
  needs..all skills addressed but writing later
• Native lang used for instructions/pronun but no
  translation initial feedback sessions schema
  within 1st lang used

• Evaluation may be largely informal, continuous
  transfer learning to new contexts no teacher
  praise/criticism..steady progress, not perfection
  desired
• Errors natural..used as basis for
  instruction..self-correction, peer feedback
  encouraged..teacher correction last resort

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Techniques
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COMMUNITY LANGUAGE LEARNING METHOD

• Principles and Techniques

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PRINCIPLES

• Teacher goals communicative lang. Use stud.
  Reasons. For learning whole person,
  non-defensive learning
• Teacher/stud roles teacher as counselor, reduces
  threat stud goes thru stages from dependent to
  independent
• Process conversation in native lang teacher
  translates in chunks taperecorded into
  transcript emerging grammar needs

• Process (contd) 6 elements security-aggression-
  attention-reflection--retention-discrimination
  teacher builds rapport w/studs. studs. Feelings
  acknowledged/responded to
• Lang/culture integrated to build
  communication/dev. Creative thinking
• Emphasis initially understanding/speaking with
  stud-designed syllabus reading/writing on
  emerging needs

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Principles (contd)

• Native lang initially heavy use of translation
  pantomime also used
• Evaluation not usual test studs. Emotionally
  prepared tests more integrative (not
  discrete)--write para or oral interview
  self-evaluation

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Principles (contd)

• Error non-threatening response through modeling
  correct usage
• Physical layout circles with teacher outside
  circle

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Techniques