Wong Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Dialogic Approaches to TESOL seemed to cover quite a bit of what we read in Saville-Troike, discussing the different language acquisition theories such as Behavorism and Chomsky's ideas on Universal Grammar. I did find that the way Wong presented the information seemed to give more examples and showed how they were used when each particular theory was popular.

What I found particularly interesting about this chapter was the discussion on the grammar-translation approach, the audiolingual method, the communicative approach, and dialogic pedagogy. In my own experiences in school I feel as though I have gone through each of these teaching methods. Early on, in late elementary school and middle school, we were taught with the teacher using the grammar-translation method of teaching. She merely translated things into English and were expected to memorize their meanings. It wasn't as if we were being taught to speak Spanish, it was more a mere memorization of rules and basic words to get us through basic conversation. I suppose, in the long run, it was helpful to know those rules and words but if I had been taught that way throughout my entire time learning Spanish, I doubt I would have the proficiency I experience today.

Once I hit high school, the first two years, our teachers seemed to want us to talk more but they also had us listen and repeat quite a bit of the information they gave us. We were made to parrot what they said until we had different phrases and information memorized for our speeches or homework or tests. We conversed in groups more so then when I was in middle school but at the same time we still spent time watching audio/visual tapes of movies or shows so that we could hear the language spoken as well. In some ways I think this method hinders and helps. I have never been a fan of memorization, it never seemed to help much when I would promptly forget it after the test but, at the same time, when you keep memorizing the same things, over and over again, you can't help but begin to recall them. There is good and bad to every approach.

After that my Spanish teachers began to focus even further on letting us discuss as we saw fit. They felt that the practice was extremely important in learning the language and working through what we may or may not understand. This seems to fit well with the Communicative Approach to teaching a second language. I am fully convinced that this practice with speaking the language and being forced to use the language I was learning helped me speak with more confidence and learn more quickly the topics brought up in class.

Finally, I was also intrigued by the idea brought up about methodology by Edward Anthony. He created three concentric circles for Approach, Method, and Technique; one inside the other to show how they related to one another. It was interesting to note that Technique was placed as the inner most circle. I was thinking it would be to signify importance? I could be wrong. The section some what confused me as to what it all had to do with each other. If anyone knows or would like to enlighten me, I'd be very grateful. :)

I think that's all for now.