Session 4: Integrated Teaching Strategies

The objectives of this session are:

• To introduce you to the communicative approach and the importance of an integrated approach to language teaching.
• To familiarize you with integrated teaching techniques and activities.

The Four Language Skills

While tutoring, you will need to address each of the four language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. If your learner picks a topic she would like to speak about, it is a good idea to develop some additional exercises that will increase her reading, writing and listening proficiency as well. Each skill complements the development of the other skills.

The Communicative Approach

The communicative approach is an integrated way to teach a new language that emphasizes listening, speaking, reading and writing. It stresses practical language use. Emphasis is on communication in real-life situations. Exercises are chosen because they will assist learners in their daily lives or will help them achieve their short or long-term goals. The following teaching strategies allow the learner to practice all four skills while doing only one prepared exercise.

A: Information Grids

What are they?

These are grids set up with missing information that the learners will need to get from each other (in a group tutoring situation) or exchange with the tutor (in an one-on-one session.) Topics for the grids are generally based on learner needs and interests.

Take a look at the following grid and write the names of three classmates in the first column. Now, spend a moment talking to each of these three people. Ask questions to fill out the rest of the grid.