If we look back at the history of language teaching, there have been two ways traditional and modern. Traditional way of language teaching stresses on the structure, actual performance, learning of rules and the explicit discussion of these rules.
If we look back at the history of language teaching, there have been two ways traditional and modern. Traditional way of language teaching stresses on the structure, actual performance, learning of rules and the explicit discussion of these rules.
Modern way of teaching stresses on the spoken language. It deals with the methods which required maximum participation on the part of the learner.
History tells us that the changes of these two approaches have not only been theoretical but also historical.
History tells us that the changes of these two approaches have not only been theoretical but also historical.
The Romans provided their sons with Greek tutors and put them into active use, so that they acquire it just like their mother tongue. But when these methods did not satisfy the teachers they changed to what had been before.
Language teaching has always been subject to change but these changes have not been based on any knowledge or scientific research rather it has been the product of fusion. Relevant knowledge about language teaching is needed.
So we can't base language teaching solely on the experience of teachers, because them subjectivity well play a great role. We should base it on objective means of evaluation which is science, here, linguistics helps us.
So we can't base language teaching solely on the experience of teachers, because them subjectivity well play a great role. We should base it on objective means of evaluation which is science, here, linguistics helps us.
Language teaching is not a detached subject. It has its connections with other disciplines as well. Linguistics is one of them because it has the same subject matter as language teaching. It has a greater importance.
However, we must be overcautious in relating linguistics with language teaching and for it we have to take these steps:
Linguistics has four basic objectives
a. It studies the human language faculty.
b. It develops theories to explain language behaviour.
b. It develops theories to explain language behaviour.
c. It provides important data for describing language.
d. It makes a comprehensive description of available language.
d. It makes a comprehensive description of available language.
If we assess these four activities none of these helps us in language teaching.
Therefore, the language teacher plays an important role. He should select data from other sources or linguistics and this is possible when he knows about linguistics.
2. Linguistics is not the only field that we should rely on. We should consider other disciplines as well.
3. Linguistics has influenced language teaching, but can't be taken as proof that it should influence language teaching.
4. Linguistics does not provide full information about language teaching. It all depends on the competence of the language teacher. Linguistics gives him more knowledge about language teaching by the virtue of which he becomes more grateful teacher.
