Silent way

English Teaching Methodology

1. THE SILENT WAY ENGLISH TEACHING METHODOLOGY

2. BACKGROUND THE SILENT WAY

3. BACKGROUND The Silent Way developed in the 1960s by Caleb Gattegno . It was first introduced in Gattegno's book  Teaching Foreign Languages in Schools: The Silent Way  in 1963. It is well known for the use of colored sticks called Cuisenaire rods and for his approach to the teaching of initial reading in which sounds are taught by colors.

4. OBJECTIVES THE SILENT WAY

5. OBJECTIVES The general goal of the SW is to help beginning-level students gain basic  fluency  in the  target language , with the ultimate aim being near-native  language proficiency and good pronunciation. They become independent by relying on themselves.

6. CHARACTERISTICS THE SILENT WAY

7. CHARACTERISTICS This method is based on the premise that teacher should be silent as much as possible and the learners should be encouraged to produce language as much as possible. The method emphasizes the autonomy of the learner.

8. CHARACTERISTICS Pronunciation is seen as fundamental; beginning students start their study with pronunciation, and much time is spent practicing it each lesson.  The Silent Way uses a  structural syllabus , and structures are constantly reviewed and recycled.

9. CHARACTERISTICS The choice of  vocabulary  is important, with functional and versatile words seen as the best. Translation and rote repetition are avoided and the language is usually practiced in meaningful  contexts . Evaluation is carried out by observation, and the teacher may never set a formal test.

10. PRINCIPLES THE SILENT WAY

11. PRINCIPLES Teachers should concentrate on how students learn, not on how to teach. -Imitation and drill are not the primary means by which students learn -Learning consists of  trial and error , deliberate experimentation, suspending judgement , and revising conclusions.

12. PRINCIPLES In learning, learners draw on everything that they already know, especially their native language. The teacher must not interfere with the learning process.

13. PROCESS THE SILENT WAY

14. TEACHING TECHNIQUE Silence is a key tool of the teacher in the Silent Way. A silent way classroom also makes extensive use of peer correction.

15. TEACHING MATERIALS The Silent Way makes use of specialized teaching materials: colored  Cuisenaire rods , the Sound-color chart, Word charts, and Fidel charts. 

16. ADANTAGES THE SILENT WAY

17. ADVANTAGES This method fosters cooperative learning between individuals. It embodies a new approach to education in general, a respect for the individual and an awareness of the individual’s extraordinary cognitive powers.

18. DISADANTAGES THE SILENT WAY

19. DISADVANTAGES For some teachers the rigidity of the system may be meaningless. Learners hard to understand.

20. TEACHER ROLES THE SILENT WAY

21. TEACHER ROLES The role of the teacher is that of technician or engineer.  The teachers’ role is one of neutral observer, neither elated by correct performance nor discouraged by error.

22. LEARNER ROLES THE SILENT WAY

23. LEARNER ROLES Learners are expected to : develop independence and responsibility self-correct through their awareness learn to work cooperatively

24. RECEPTION AND INFLUENCE THE SILENT WAY

25. RECEPTION AND INFLUENCE The Silent Way in the form Gattegno described can only be used by teachers who are free not to adopt the Communicative Approach . Therefore, the Silent Way was only used by a small number of teachers. However, the ideas behind the Silent Way continue to be influential, particularly in the area of teaching pronunciation.