Development - ELT in Images – the pendulum | Delta Publishing

ELT in Images – the pendulum

Wednesday 1 July 2009

Our first image is the pendulum. It has been said that ELT follows fashions, and some things become very popular only to fall out of favour later. For example, grammar translation was once considered “the way” to learn a language, and then it became deeply unpopular in some sectors of the profession. Now more and more people are arguing that it does in fact have its uses. In these cases, the metaphor of the pendulum is invoked (as in “the pendulum has swung back in favour of translation”).

Do you think this is a good metaphor? Do we all follow a trend and then turn and follow a different one? Or is the pendulum only the property of a few “names” in British or American ELT and not representative of the majority of language teaching that happens worldwide? What direction is the pendulum swinging now, if at all? What things are out of favour, and what are in favour? Post your comments below.

7 responses to ELT in Images – the pendulum

Georgina says:

July 3, 2009 at 1:05 pm

“The Pendulum” metaphor seems to fit with a few things in ELT; you mentioned translation, Lindsay, and I think we can add “drilling” to that list. The grammar drill is the audiolingual method fell out of favour, but most teachers I know, including myself, find drilling has a place in today’s ELT classroom.

Perhaps I am missing something, but I haven’t heard the magic formula for learning a language (though there are some who claim to have this!) This being the case, I think it natural for those in the ELT profession to “swing” towards new trends and try something different in an effort to improve learning.

Reply
Lindsay Clandfield says:

July 5, 2009 at 6:28 am

Thanks Georgina for your comment. I neither have heard of a magic formula for language learning… well no that’s not true I have heard of magic formulas but I don’t think they work! So perhaps you are right in that respect.
And drilling… I love drilling. I agree that it has also been criticized perhaps unfairly in the past.

Reply
Karenne Sylvester says:

July 5, 2009 at 5:34 pm

I agree with both of you, Georgina and Lindsay. There’s no magic formula for language learning. There isn’t one kind of learner so they’ll never be one way of teaching them!

Re drilling, Lindsay, me too.

In context, depending on the situation – teaching objective of the day, there’s nothing wrong with some good old fashioned repeat it, repeat it, repeat it.

I learned the power of this from my own direct experience learning languages (Spanish and German) and very much appreciate when was made to say a difficult word or expression several times. Should be done more.

Pendulum currently swinging, I think – I hope, towards student-centered learning. Problem is that like all the other trends in ELT, so many people have a different idea of what this really means!

In fact, I’d go as far as to say that in some cases, ELTers have the idea (I’ll just go ahead and throw myself in that group) that what they are doing is the “right” thing and so they translate latest trend to be what they’re already doing without really stopping to think about it!

Conversely though, all in all, I think trends are important because when we do recognize something new as something being able to help us develop professionally, it keeps us on our toes and constantly learning!

Cool to find you here, L – hidden away on this corner of the blogosphere!

Reply
- Lindsay Clandfield says:
  
  July 6, 2009 at 8:35 am
  
  Thanks for your detailed comment Karenne – and an insightful comment about what we do as being “the best way to do it”. Yeah, it is interesting guest blogging here! Have to refrain from putting things into lists!
  
  Reply
Grammar Teacher says:

July 10, 2009 at 8:43 am

I think trends come and go in all areas of education but we are perhaps more aware of the changes in the teaching of language as this is so important to us. Learning is all about trying things out so it’s not surprising that there is a lot of trial and error in teaching methods too.

Reply
Glennie says:

July 10, 2009 at 6:41 pm

Our poor students have been the victims of the violent pendulum-swinging to which ELT has been subject over the years.

The list is a long one: the total rejection of translation; the equally violent ousting of L1 from the classroom; the sacrificing of drilling on the altar of the communicative approach; the refusal to write anything on the board before the st knew how to pronounce it (my Spanish wife particularly hated that one) etc. etc.

One glorious revolution seemed to follow another and we regularly found ourselves emptying into the gutter the bottles of the last ‘miracle elixir’ we had bought into … before uncorking the next ones!
We really put our students through it! And ourselves!

Now we are eclectic and try to adapt to the variety of learning styles we find amongst our students.

I’m so glad we grew up!

Reply
DM says:

October 5, 2009 at 4:33 pm

I think trends come and go in all areas of education but we are perhaps more aware of the changes in the teaching of language as this is so important to us. Learning is all about trying things out so it’s not surprising that there is a lot of trial and error in teaching methods too.

Reply

Delta Development Blog

This blog will be updated at least once a week, so add it to your bookmarks. You can also subscribe to the feed to be notified when it's updated.

Meet the Bloggers

Louis Rogers (January to March 2012)
Ken Paterson (December 2011 to February 2012)
Richard Brown & Lewis Richards (September to November 2011)
Liz Walter & Kate Woodford (September to October 2011)
Kyle Mawer & Graham Stanley (April to August 2011)
Nik Peachey (from November 2010)
Nicky Hockly (September & October 2010)
Julie Pratten (July & August 2010)
Gill Johnson (April 2010)
Chaz Pugliese (March 2010)
Luke Meddings (August 2009)
Lindsay Clandfield (July 2009)
Duncan Foord (June 2009)
Scott Thornbury (May 2009)

Teaching Online

Teaching Online is essential reading for any teacher interested in online teaching and course delivery. It deals comprehensively with both the tools and the techniques necessary for online language instruction.

Digital Play

Digital Play is a pioneering book on the use of computer games in language teaching. Authors Kyle and Graham are experts in teaching with technology and training teachers in innovative classroom practice.

Being Creative

Part of the Delta Teacher Development Series. Being Creative takes you on a journey that reveals how all teachers have the potential to become creative. Whether you are experienced or new to the classroom, Being Creative allows your teaching to take flight.

Culture in our Classrooms

Part of the Delta Teacher Development Series. Culture in our Classrooms acknowledges the role of culture in the English Language Teaching classroom and provides lesson content which is relevant, useful and engaging for students.

The Pronunciation Book

FORTHCOMING SPRING 2012. Part of the Delta Teacher Development Series. The Pronunciation Book considers the significance of pronunciation in teaching and learning, providing a straightforward overview of the elements of English pronunciation. The authors go on to offer a bank of ready-made activities for working on all aspects of pronunciation, followed by both suggestions and activities for practical and professional development in this vital field.

The Business English Teacher

From the award-winning DELTA TEACHER DEVELOPMENT SERIES. The Business English Teacher is a book not only for teachers who are thinking of making a career move into the field of business English teaching but also for those who would like to increase their skills and develop their potential.

The Company Words Keep

FORTHCOMING SPRING 2012. Part of the Delta Teacher Development Series. The Company Words Keep examines how we store language in ready-made chunks that we retrieve and use, rather than elaborately constructing ‘grammar’ each time we speak. The authors provide a wealth of activities which apply their methodology to both the coursebook and to authentic contexts, taking advantage of corpus linguistics. Teachers are also offered suggestions and activities for further development in this exciting field.

Teaching Unplugged

Teaching Unplugged has just been awarded the British Council 2010 ELTons UK Award for Innovation. Teaching Unplugged is the first book to deal comprehensively with the approach in English Language Teaching known as Dogme ELT.

The Developing Teacher

The Developing Teacher has been awarded the 2009 Duke of Edinburgh/ESU Award for Best Entry for Teachers. The Developing Teacher suggests that teachers themselves are the most powerful agents of change and development in their own professional career.