Explain the General Principles of Language Teaching
The maxims of teaching are universal facts that helps the teacher to proceed systematically. It enables the teacher to find out the way for teaching.
(i) Known to Unknown:
Based on the assumption that the students know something. The teacher has to increase the learners' knowledge and widen the outlook. The new knowledge has to be interpreted in terms of the old.
(ii) Simple to Complex:
In the formal classroom teaching the teacher should proceed from the simple to the complex. The simple learning would make the learner take interest and then gradually complex material should be introduced. The simple things create motivation and encourage them to learn. There is increased confidence level. On this basis they become receptive for the complex matters. Gradually the difficult matter can be introduced.
(iii) Concrete to Abstract:
The beginners should be taught with concrete things. They being solid and can be touched by the five senses helps the learners and they would never forget the subject matter. The abstract things can only be imagined so it gets difficult for the beginners to learn with that.
(iv) Analysis of Synthesis:
Analysis means breaking a problem into its convenient parts while synthesis means grouping of these separate parts into one complete whole. A complex problem can be made simple and easy by dividing into different parts.
Analysis is the approach for understanding and synthesis is for fixation. Analysis of a sentence is taught to the learners that help the students to understand the different parts of a sentence. Later, synthesis of sentences should be taught.
(v) Particular to General:
The teacher should initially take a particular statement and then on the basis of those particular cases, generalization should be made.
(vi) Empirical to Rational:
Empirical knowledge is based on observation and first hand experience. it is particular and concrete and is simple. It can be felt and can be experienced. The Rational is based on our arguments and explanations.
(vii) Induction to Deduction:
Induction means drawing a conclusion- from a set of examples whereas deduction is just the opposite. The teacher should proceed from induction to deduction.
(viii) Psychological to Logical:
While teaching the teacher should keep in mind the interest, aptitudes, capacities, development level, etc. of the children during the selection of the subject matter and then move on to its logical arrangement. While teaching English, the structures should be selected as per the needs and requirements of the students and then arranged in a logical way.
(ix) Actual to Representative:
Actual objects should be shown to the learners for effective teaching because it provides concrete learning. The learners tend to retain it in their mind for a longer period.
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