Past Trends in English Language Teaching: How We Got to Where We Are

English Language Teaching and learning methodologyStudent-centered teaching and learning-based courses,
and didactic approaches have been in an almosttexts and programs developed at an increased rate.o
constant state of flux since the advent of theNoam Chomsky's theory of Transformational
Grammar - Translation method documented byGenerative Grammar gave us greater insight into
German-American anthropologist Franz Boas and thelanguage learning vs. language acquisition and of
Danish linguist Otto Jespersen during the early 20thstructural linguistics.o Stephen Krashen et al provided
century. Each of the English language teaching andus with five hypotheses to deepen our insight into
learning methodology and didactic approaches of pastlanguage acquisition and learningo Psychologists Roger
decades has contributed to the state of the art thatSperry contributed the theory of Dual Psychology
now exists. Here are a few key contributors to ELT.which explained our two innate brains and Paul
Past Trends in ELTMacLean's Triune brain model postulated the three
Approximately every decade a new approach orlayers of depth to our thinking and actionso Hermann's
methodology comes into vogue. Audio-lingual method,Brain Dominance Model allowed us improved
TPR, Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), Directunderstanding of how personality characteristics,
method, the Natural approach and the Communicativelearning styles and language learning integrate.o
approach have all had their heydays. As elements ofSeveral well-validated texts emerged in North
Computer-Aided Language Learning (CALL) began toAmerica, Europe, Latin America and Asia as
grow, the very need for human teachers came brieflyinternational and regional benchmarks for EFL
into question. Suddenly, everyone wanted to getcurriculum.
"plugged in" like the hero in the movie "Matrix" and learnThe listings could easily go on and on as there are
everything instantly. From Piaget to Pimsleur, evermany significant contributions that could be noted here.
widening facets of language and learning have beenEach of the English language teaching and learning
ladled upon our world. Many theorists, linguists, languagemethodology and didactic approaches of past
researchers, educational psychologists and a sea ofdecades has contributed in part to our understanding
teachers have contributed to our knowledge andand applications of English as a foreign or second
understanding of the language teaching and learninglanguage. The Total Physical Response of Asher put
processes. A few of the many major theories, eventsmovement and motion into language learning getting
and trends which shaped ELT during past decadesstudents out of their desks and into the flow, for
include:o Howard Gardner's Theory of Multipleexample. The article "Predictions of Trends in ELT for
Intelligences opened the way to more diversity of2006: What to Expect in the Upcoming Year" will
activities focused on the students themselves and theirdiscuss continuing developments we might expect.
innate skills, preferences and abilities.o