Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching

Cambridge Language Teaching Library

by Jack C. Richards, Theodore S. Rogers

This new edition surveys the major approaches and methods in language teaching. This new edition is an extensive revision of the first edition of this successful text. Like the first edition, it surveys the major approaches and methods in language teaching, such as grammar translation, audiolingualism, communicative language teaching, and the natural approach. This edition includes new chapters on topics such as whole language, multiple intelligences, neurolinguistic programming, competency-based language teaching, cooperative language learning, content-based instruction, task-based language teaching, and the Post-Methods Era. Teachers and teachers-in-training will discover that this second edition is a comprehensive survey and analysis of the major and minor teaching methods used around the world.

Genres: Linguistics, Teaching, Education, Language, Nonfiction, Academic, Reference

278 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 1986

About the author

Jack Croft Richards is an applied linguist from New Zealand, specializing in second and foreign language education, teacher training, and materials design. He has written numerous articles and books. Most of his books and articles are in the field of second language teaching and have been translated into many different languages. He was appointed full professor in the Department of English as a Second Language at the University of Hawaii in 1981.

Reviews

[Paras2 · Rating 2 out of 5]

better than Brown but still, not a fan of teaching 😑

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book for my second Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (TESL/TEFL) class at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) during the fall of 2011. It was one of two texts (the first of which I am reviewing). In it, I learned about Charles Curran, a Loyola University Chicago psychology professor. I was surprised I'd never heard of him, as Loyola was my alma matter for both undergraduate and a Ph.D. (though not a master's in psychology). Curran applied humanistic psychological theory (e.g., Carl Rogers's person-centered approach) to language learning, which was an interesting idea. However, some of the ideas that the book explained (e.g., Howard Gardner's multiple intelligence theory) should have been presented with a bit more critical of an evaluative lens -- while the theory is intuitively appealing, it doesn't hold up to any of the scrutiny generally applied to intelligence research -- and that amount isn't that much, so that says something about this text Still, the text is a good overview of different theories. Incidentally, I'm writing this review on a night when I found out my last job application in the field of psychology is likely to amount to nothing and I'm not likely to be employed as a psychologist much longer -- so, teaching English is ever closer in it's possibility in my life. Or rather, being a graduate student in TESL/TEFL for a while is ever closer... And then, hopefully finding a substantial job will be easier than it has been in psychology...

[Ne. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive survey & analysis of the major & minor teaching methods used around the world with explaining the assumptions behind them presisely. The book have been divided in2 3 main sections: Section 1 deals with major trends in twentienth century lg. teaching. The 2nd section deals with alternative approches & methods which have attracted support @ different times in different places throughout the last 30 years, but have not been widely accepted or have not maintained substantial followings. & the 3rd 1 explains current communicative approches includes CLT , NA, CLC, CBI, TBLT & post era...

[Budiyono Dion]

Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching

[Andreas Aris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good reference especially for those who are interested in foreign language teaching. A pretty interesting book. I read the copy of the book, and it took me almost 15 years until I could purchase the original version.

[Seamaiden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting book, even though it is hard to read some times.

[E · Rating 1 out of 5]

a sheer piece of crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The best fuckshit you can read.

[Budi Kurniawan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive, complete but concise book that collects approaches and methods in language teaching. The contents are ranged from the most old methods to the most modern one. It is interesting to note that the book also faces toward the post-method era, although in many aspects the approaches and methods are still studied and researched to adapt with the needs of students and context.

[Sebah Al-Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

It might be boring at first, but as you move on, you'll find a lot to learn. I enjoyed reading it.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful information, but definitely not written with the reader in mind. They seem to get stuck on definitions and technicalities.

[Niniane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise history of language teaching.

It went from grammar-translation in the early 1900s to audiolingual. Then behavioral (pavlovian) techniques in the 1930s to 1960s, where the students repeat after the teacher. It described the evolution toward pair and group work, and students doing collaborative exercises.

Each chapter was one style of language teaching. The book did analysis of where the method is used, and its strengths and weaknesses.

[Vanessa Soto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estuve leyendo este libro durante mi clase de General Didactics, y la verdad me pareció muy completo porque te da muchas bases para entender cómo es la enseñanza, conocemos los diferentes métodos y enfoques enfocados en la enseñanza de idiomas y además, aprendes a ser más crítico, pues vas analizando los principios que puedes poner en práctica en tu ejercicio como docente.

[Rim Khiari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book clearly explains the different set of methods and approaches and provides a fine comparison between all of them at the end. Throughout this book, I could get the gist of some concepts without feeling that the authors are being subjective or they are promoting one over the other.

[Liliana]

porque es muy favorable para los teachers

[Niko]

Read for an ELT class.

[Fahny Dhea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually I learned this book to my college assignment and I realize that this book is awesome.

[Tanzid Tonoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful if one wishes to learn the basics of approaches and methods of English Language Teaching. It can be a bit difficult to understand some facts though.

[Banafshe · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتابو برای بار سوم در ۵‌سال اخیر تموم کردم، و دیگه مغزم سوخته😭😤

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Venga, a ver si consigo juntar más de dos líneas que tengan pizca de sentido para el TFM.

[John Hayward]

Read this as part of my MA in TESOL programme.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit dense but it’s good stuff !! wish it included simple definitions of the jargon

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

grad school read.

[كادي حكمت · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book summarizes the methods which are used during the last century in the domain of teaching a foreign language . A great effort ; I think it is a "MUST" for every student of Linguistics. I took it as a course and I read it for the second time as I am preparing myself now for the Comprehension Exam to get my M.A. the addition I am using is the second one but on YouTube I watched an interview with auther telling that a third one was lately published Where he is refreshing the information and adding chapters . I wish I can get it soon because I think I am going to read it from time to time over and over again . This is strongly deeply heavily recommended book for every student of Linguistics.

[Roya · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK, so, here's the deal: I had to read this book for the Teaching Methodology AKA Torture class and I hated EVERY SINGLE MINUTE I spent reading it.Every single one. So, two is enough. More than enough. It's generous, it's benevolent, for Christ's sake.

[Molly Montgomery · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not particularly helpful for learning about language teaching. It presents a bunch of mostly outdated methods that are not commonly used and doesn't really give any advice for which ones work well, saying that more research needs to be done to determine which methods are actually effective.

[Dunya Al-Mishqab · Rating 2 out of 5]

I studied this book for Principles of Language Teaching course in college. It was good.

[Susan Bybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My very favorite was "Suggestopedia". I'd love to see that and some of the others being carried out.

[Khansa · Rating 3 out of 5]

review of the history of language teaching. I studied it twice. It's informative, but all the methods are not new -- I'm not sure if they can be applied.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful information for a new teacher of languages.

[Ilona Zielkowska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to follow and understand but slightly boring