Conventional Teaching Methodology of English

Due to the growing popularity of English worldwide, today English language teaching starts from nursery itself. But, we have to think whether the way English is taught in our schools today is sufficient enough to encounter the innumerable voices and a multitude of dialects.

Studies say that the conventional methodologies employed in English teaching are responsible for the decline of the standard of English. The objectives of English Education and Teaching are lofty and the means used in conventional teaching method is inadequate to realize them.

In traditional/conventional teaching, the teacher is the one and only controller of the learning environment. As the teacher holds the supreme power and they play the role of decision makers, students are considered as mere objects to fill in with information. On the other hand, in a student-centered learning atmosphere, the students are in control of their learning and this learning environment will be collaborative, independent, and competitive.

Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing are the four key skills involved in the process of language acquisition. The process of language learning always initiates with the first two skills- listening and speaking, where as in conventional teaching methodology, the student starts with reading and writing. That is, the natural language acquisition sequence starts with listening and then the children learn to imitate those around them.

In modern teaching methodology, fluency and confidence are the essential components that support the language learning process more interesting. Grammar and language rules come next to that. By attaining confidence and fluency, the process of understanding and memorizing the written form of the word and grammar becomes easy.

It is important to lay emphasis on developing confidence, competence and fluency for the effectiveness of English language communication. Acquiring these qualities, the student can communicate effectively and they can adjust their style according to the language capabilities of the person, whom he/she communicates by understanding and handling various dialects and voices. This goal can be achieved by creating an active language environment, where the teacher and students strive towards fluency and greater competence, thereby welcoming the opportunities to interact in English.