THE SITUATIONAL APPROACH

THE SITUATIONAL APPROACH

History

The theory of learning underlying Situation Language Teaching is Behaviorism, addressing the process more than the conditions of the learning. It includes the following principles:

THE SITUATIONAL APPROACH

Underlying theory

Language learning is habit-formation

Mistakes are bad and should be avoided, as they make bad habits (Teachers reaction to the errors)

Language skills are learned more efficiently if they are

presented orally first.

Analogy is better foundation that analysis The meanings of words can only be learned in a linguistic and cultural context

THE SITUATIONAL APPROACH

Objectives

THE SITUATIONAL APPROACH

Theoretical assumptions

THE SITUATIONAL APPROACH

Is an oral approach like the Direct Method in which stress is laid on spoken language. New words are taught through clasroom situations or through demonstration of a particular object. The approach follows set procedures of vocabulary selection wich the learner is supposed to memorize as a service list for using language in his day-today communication.

Critical evaluation

 A typical lesson StructuralSituation approach is completed in three phases: Presentation: introduccion of new vocabulary/gramatical items in contexts. Practice: oral but controlled practice of items. Production: a free practice in the language items learnt in phase (b).

 The approach essentially follows a grammatical sylabus that aims to develop a learners competence in the use of structures in target language. What was new about this approach that made it more viable was its emphasis on the use of langugae in context and situations that were provided by the immediate enviroment of the learner, the classroom.

THE SITUATIONAL APPROACH

Accuracy in both pronunciation and grammar

What the learners should achieve

Ability to respond quickly and accurately in speech situations

Automatic control of basic structures and sentence patterns

THE SITUATIONAL APPROACH

New sentence patterns are presented in the form of situations

Typical Exercises

Drills to practice the patterns Procedure: Present the structure Practice the structure under control Practice the structure freely
Use the structure freely in normal speech, reading and writing

THE SITUATIONAL APPROACH

Main Skills Emphasized

Speaking and listening are heavily emphasized in the beginning in order to proceed to writing and reading later.

THE SITUATIONAL APPROACH

Typical Classroom Interaction

The professor assigns exercises to the student to practice by practice and repetition.

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