principles of teaching english


INTRODUCTION
                                    Language teaching should be based on some sound principles that serve as  a guide to the teachers in directing learners towards the attainment of educational goals and objectives. The principles of teaching help the teacher in teaching a language successfully. So, it is essential for every teacher to know the principles of teaching.

IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE
                                    English has been playing an important role both in our educational system and in our national life. English has been the official language of our country for more than three hundred years. It still continues to be the language of the courts in India. Cases are presented and judgements are given in English in all courts. It is also a language of international trade and industry. According to Jawaharlal Nehru, “ English is our major window on the modern world.” That is , English is a window through which we can see the scientific , technological, agricultural and commercial development taking place in the world. English is the link language in the India and it is the only language which is understood in all states. English is the library language and it is the store house of scientific, technological and computer knowledge. English is the only language that dominates on the internet. A study shows that almost 55% of the most visited websites use English as their content language. Finally English plays an important role in the field of education.

TEACHING OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE
                            Traditionally English was taught by the grammar translation method in India. The structural approach as practiced in the classroom led to a fragmentation of thought b breaking up language in two ways – into structures and into skills. As there is great importance for English language, it is made compulsory in all schools as a second language. So, to teach effectively, it is essential for every teacher to know about the principles of teaching English.

PRINCIPLES OF TEACHING ENGLISH
                             Language teaching should be based on sound principles that serve as a guide to the teachers in directing learners towards the attainment of educational goals and objectives. Various principles of teaching have been formulated based on the psychological, linguistic and pedagogical principles. These principles of teaching help the teacher in teaching a foreign language in successful manner.
PSYCHOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES
                             The knowledge of the psychological principles enables the teacher to design his teaching methods in an effective way. A few principles are :-


v  MOTIVATION
                           The teacher must motivate the students by indicating the importance, relevance and utility of all communication during the learning period. According to Anderson, “Learning will proceed best when motivated”. Thus motivation is the core of learning.


v  PRINCIPLE OF IMITATION
                           Children learn by observation and imitation. The student learns or acquires the style of speaking and writing as demonstrated by his teacher. Teacher should serve as a good model for students to learn the language skills.

v  THE PRINCIPLE OF PRACTICE
                            Thorndike states that language is a still which depends on continuous practice. The practice of language develops mastery of language efficiency, fluency of language. The expression, grammar and vocabulary depend on continuous practice and use of language.

v  INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
                             Language should be taught accurately to the individual differences, because language learning takes place of different rates for different persons.

v  MEMORY SPAN
                             There is a limit to a memory span. The teacher must use simple and short sentences so that student’s memory span can retain them.

v  POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND INTEREST
                              Positive attitude towards English increases learning, while negative attitude towards it decreases learning. Every teacher must attempt to develop positive attitude towards learning English among the students.



v  WILLINGNESS TO LEARN
                              Co-operation of the learner is the essential factor in learning. It means his willingness to participate in learning activities which result in learning. Students should be given opportunities for practice with the will to learn.

LINGUISTIC PRINCIPLES
                           A good teacher o0f the subject teaches well and even then he is not satisfied with it. Effective teaching of a language is based on some linguistic principles. Some of the basic linguistic principles are:-

·         PRINCIPLE OF NATURALNESS
                           A language is learned in a natural way, therefore mother is considered as the first teacher. The unit of language is a sentence not the words, therefore teacher should proceed towards sentences. The teacher should initiate the students to the world of sounds.

·         PRINCIPLE OF LEARNING BY DOING
                           The main focus of language teaching is to develop the four-skills-  reading, writing, speaking and listening. Therefore, practice is essential in language teaching. Model reading, imitation reading, silent reading are essential activities for teaching language.

·         PRINCIPLE OF TEACHING OR TALK
                            Teacher should provide situations for students to talk or speak , rather than to be a passive listener. It makes the learner active and attentive. It helps in correct pronunciation.

·         PRINCIPLE OF RATIO AND SEQUENCE
                             A language involves a sequence and a ratio. Language listening should start from speaking and listening. Student’s imitation of speaking and listening, expressing their feelings and ideas are the sequence which a teacher should follow.

·         THE PRINCIPLE OF CONTEXT AND SITUATION
                             Language is to be learnt in context and situation. Language is taught so that the learners are able to make use of it in their day today life. The different sentence pattern should be taught by creating meaningful situations.
·         ADOPTION OF MULTIPLE LINE OF APPROACH
                             In teaching of English, the multiple line of approach is of unique importance. It helps the learners and teachers in many ways. For e.g, in the teaching of an essay oral practice, writing practice, spelling practice should be given to the students.

PEDAGOGICAL PRINCIPLES
                        There are five pedagogical principles which make the teaching of English language effective. They are:-

Ø VALUE STUDENTS CULTURAL BACKGROUND
                              Research says that students who are valued by the wider society succeed to a greater extend than students whose backgrounds are devalued. But the knowledge they develop in their first language constitutes a major component of cognitive power that they bring for learning, but it is possible for them to cultivate and facilitate English language.

Ø  BE PREPARED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS LONG TERM
                              It is a fact that upwards of five years may be required for students to reach a level of academic proficiency in English compared to native English speakers. The teachers in a school should individualize each children and they should know the different levels of English proficiency and they should know that it takes place at different rates.

Ø  EMPHASIZE  CLASSROOM  INTERACTION
                              The students can be brought into learning situation, with interaction of user of English. It is a major casual variable underlying the acquisition of English. Thus classroom as well as school is responsible for supporting the learning and interactional needs of students.

Ø  INTEGRATE LANGUAGE LEARNING WITH CONTENT
                               If students are to catch up academically with their native English speaking peers, their cognitive growth and mastery of academic content must continue while English is being learned. Thus, teaching English as a second language should be integrated with teaching of other academic content that is appropriate to the student’s cognitive level.


Ø  PROMOTE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
                              The academic growth of students is significantly increased when parents see themselves. Schools should therefore actively establish a collaborative relationship with the parents and should promote them to actively participate in children;s academic progress.

CONCLUSION
                       Effective learning depends on effective teaching. But effective teaching depends upon application of general principle of teachers. An English teacher may have the knowledge of several methods and approaches of teaching. The teacher should follow and apply the scientific  principles in order to improve his teaching of the second language.

REFERENCES

1.     Khatri, P.P (2015). Teaching of English . Ludhiana : Tandon Publications.

2.      Thangasamy, K.(2016). Pedagogy of English. Chennai :Vinodh Publications.

3.      Weston, C. (2013). Five Principles of Effective Pedagogy. Retrieved from

                 https://edtechnow.net.

4.      Sharma, R.A. (2007). Teaching of English. Meerut : R. Lal Book Depot.

5.      Retrieved from

                https://pdf.semantischolar.org.









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