Eclectic Method

Question- What is Eclectic method (approach) of language learning/ teaching?

Or
What is salient features of the Eclectic Approach?

Answer -

Eclectic approach is a method of language learning/teaching that com- bines various approaches and methodologies to teach languages depending on the aims of the lesson and the abilities of the learners in this approach teacher has more flexibility and adaptability to choose best elements ac- cording to the need and aim of the students. Different teaching methods are borrowed and adapted to suit the requirement of the learners, it breaks the monotony of the class.

The main purpose here is to create a new method made of all the various methods already existed and incorporated in ELT, taking the advan- tage of each method, approach and technique. In fact, the main idea is to use all the available methods. The Eclectic approach is the one of that integrates all the language - teaching methods depending on the classroom circumstances and the abilities of the learners.

The eclectic approach was advocates as almost all the individual methods had their strengths and weakness and not even a single method was responsible to the real and dynamic classroom context. Taking the draw- backs of the various methods into consideration, Brown (2002) argues that electicism finds the right solution as this approach permits the teacher to select what works well in their classrooms with their own dynamic contexts. Even Gilliland, James and Bowman (1994) declared that the justification to adapt the Eclectic approach lies in the single method or approach because a single method or approach has a narrow theoretical basis and has a fixed set of activities and hence it is inflexible.

Salient features of the Eclectic Approach - The Eclectic approach is regarded as one of the best approaches in ELT. Teachers will be successful in teaching if they implement this approach in English language classroom. Examine the salient features of Eclectic approach -

(1) Eclectic approach (EA) makes teaching innovative and enjoyable. The learning objectives are easily achieved.

(2) The learners participates in a lesson actively and interacts with teacher and other students.

(3) E.A. brings capabilities among the students and children's for individual needs.

(4) The E.A. makes the teaching of English practical as it facilitate retention and build confidence in language learners.

(5) This approach enables teachers attain the objectivies of learning easily as the learners understand the concepts and acquire knowledge be- cause learning becomes fun and innovative.

(6) It further strengthens effective learning of English as more infor- mation of knowledge is retained for a long time that enables learners to speak fluently and perform grammatically.

(7) Depending on the aims and objectivities of the lesson and the learners in the group, the teacher decides what methodology or approach to use.

(8) It's problem based approach to teaching language that solves the problem faced by the learners in the classroom.

(9) Testing is a part of this method and not a separate entity.

(10) Teacher attain good result without much pressure on the learner.

(11) The features of this method include multiple tasks, lively learn- ing high interaction, objectives correlative and fast results.

(12) This approach connects life experiences to the ideas presented in learning the language.

(13) E.A. supports natural order of learning first listening, followed by speech and then reading and writing.

(14) The students should be active learners instead of being more recipients of information.

(15) Teacher should act as facilitators and provide opportunities for students to express their ideas, without any fear in English.

(16) Activities and resources should be adopted as much as possible to use English in natural contexts.

(17) Various activities are introduced in the English classroom by using the innovative technology available.

(18) There is flexibility for teachers to choose any method or approach that suitable for teaching inside the classroom.

(19) E.A. saves both time and effort in the presentation of language activities.

(20) The teacher proposes a variety of excercises, both written and oral, in order to improve the learners, communicative abilities with acuracy and fluency.

(21) E.A. focuses on motivation and learner antonomy, selecting tech- niques based on the learner and context.

(22) The Eclectic approach is the juxtaposition both the inductive and deductive strategy to teaching language.

(23) The concept of the Eclectic approach is that learners learn not only from teachers but also from fellow learners by working together or as a group.

Thus the salient features of Eclectic approach are discussed thor- oughly and in a comprehensive way.

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