Education is probably the most important aspect in our times. Without education a state would have no medical service, no computer specialists, no politics and demo- cracy, no business, no economy, short a state would not work at all.
Education is the key for individual chances and success in life, and the driving force for developments in society. Prosperity derives from education. Culture is a result of education, just as interest in politics and most important perspectives for later occu- pations. Politics concerning education cannot work where not enough attention is paid to achievements in school, where it seems to be not important what students learn in contrast to students in other states.
The recent PISA-study showed unfortunately how little attention was paid to edu- cation in Germany in the last decades. It is not possible to find a convincing answer to where the problem was, may it be the German school-system, the instruction of new teachers at universities, teachers who are no longer motivated after having reached the state of an official, parents who do not seem to care about their children’s abilities in reading and writing. In fact, a change in our school-system is Ger- many’s deepest need at the moment to improve pupils’ achievements.
Therefore alternative methods will probably gain more and more interest in our school- and teaching-system. I will try to introduce, describe and discuss some of these methods. I will show up their difficulties, risks and also possible chances. In the end I will try to decide if those approaches will find their ways sooner or later or if they will remain utopian.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Description of the methods
- Total Physical Response
- Community Language Learning
- The Drama Method
- Discussion of the methods
- About Total Physical Response
- About Community Language Learning
- About The Drama Method
- Personal Statement
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text aims to introduce, describe, and discuss alternative methods of teaching foreign languages, analyzing their challenges, risks, and potential benefits. The author explores whether these methods are likely to be adopted widely or remain theoretical.
- Alternative foreign language teaching methods
- Comparison of Total Physical Response, Community Language Learning, and the Drama Method
- Effectiveness and practicality of alternative approaches
- The role of student motivation and confidence
- The importance of incorporating physical activity and collaborative learning
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter emphasizes the critical role of education in societal progress and individual success, highlighting the shortcomings of the German education system as revealed by the PISA study. The author introduces the purpose of the text, which is to explore alternative teaching methods for foreign languages, examining their potential benefits and drawbacks, and ultimately assessing their feasibility within the educational landscape.
Description of the methods: This section provides an overview of three distinct alternative methods for teaching foreign languages: Total Physical Response (TPR), Community Language Learning (CLL), and the Drama Method. Each method is presented individually, outlining its core principles, techniques, and pedagogical rationale. The descriptions lay the groundwork for a more in-depth discussion and comparison in subsequent chapters.
Discussion of the methods: This chapter delves deeper into the three methods introduced previously. It analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, discussing their practical applications and potential challenges in classroom settings. This section likely provides a critical evaluation of the methods, comparing their effectiveness and suitability for different learners and learning contexts.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Alternative teaching methods, foreign language acquisition, Total Physical Response (TPR), Community Language Learning (CLL), Drama Method, pedagogy, language learning, student motivation, classroom techniques, effective instruction.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the purpose of this text?
This text aims to introduce, describe, and discuss alternative methods of teaching foreign languages, analyzing their challenges, risks, and potential benefits. The author explores whether these methods are likely to be adopted widely or remain theoretical. It specifically focuses on Total Physical Response (TPR), Community Language Learning (CLL), and the Drama Method.
What alternative teaching methods are discussed?
The text explores three alternative foreign language teaching methods: Total Physical Response (TPR), Community Language Learning (CLL), and the Drama Method. Each method is described in detail, outlining its core principles, techniques, and pedagogical rationale.
How are the methods described?
The "Description of the methods" section provides an overview of each method individually, outlining its core principles, techniques, and pedagogical rationale. This lays the groundwork for a more in-depth discussion and comparison.
How are the methods discussed and compared?
The "Discussion of the methods" section delves deeper into each method, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses, practical applications, and potential challenges in classroom settings. It offers a critical evaluation comparing their effectiveness and suitability for different learners and learning contexts.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include alternative foreign language teaching methods, a comparison of TPR, CLL, and the Drama Method, the effectiveness and practicality of alternative approaches, the role of student motivation and confidence, and the importance of incorporating physical activity and collaborative learning.
What is the structure of the text?
The text includes an introduction, a description of the three methods, a discussion of the methods, and a concluding personal statement. It also features a table of contents and a list of keywords.
What is the introduction about?
The introduction emphasizes the critical role of education in societal progress and individual success, highlighting shortcomings in the German education system (as revealed by the PISA study). It introduces the text's purpose: exploring alternative foreign language teaching methods and assessing their feasibility.
What are the key words associated with this text?
Keywords include: Alternative teaching methods, foreign language acquisition, Total Physical Response (TPR), Community Language Learning (CLL), Drama Method, pedagogy, language learning, student motivation, classroom techniques, and effective instruction.
What is the significance of the PISA study mentioned in the introduction?
The reference to the PISA study serves to contextualize the need for exploring alternative teaching methods. It suggests that the existing methods may have shortcomings, motivating the search for more effective approaches.
Where can I find more information about Total Physical Response, Community Language Learning, and the Drama Method?
This text provides a starting point. Further research using the keywords provided would lead to more detailed information about each method. Academic databases and educational journals are excellent resources.
- Quote paper
- Katrin Zielina (Author), 2002, Alternative methods of teaching foreign languages, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/13209
