domingo, 9 de junio de 2013

Presentation, Practice and Production



Since last few years, the teaching of languages ​​has been through a "structural approach", where memorized and were corrected for the slightest mistake.

In most cases, this method was not effective and enjoyable. No language has a purpose. It is more effective exposure to conversations with a native English speaker, where students produce a higher level of skills in language, as does the "conversational approach". However, this other method, make many mistakes, because students do not have enough knowledge to build.

Then we found two methods, the "structural approach" that promotes the accuracy and tends to inhibit communication, and the "conversational approach  which tends to create communicative confidence in combination with many errors rooted.

Here we come to the conclusion that it is almost the same problem communicating and not doing well, as be able to communicate but lack confidence or practical to do so.

But now is the modern method of "PPP", "Presentation, Practice and Production."

This modern method "presents" a new language, in which the teacher is controlling, building real situations, recognized by students, and that are useful, such as for example using text, audio or visual tapes. Then “practice” with controlled activities where students leads them to competition and accuracy, phonological and syntax, through repetition, correcting errors and modeling the correct forms.. Until students are prepared to "produce" the language, both written and spoken, without correction or control.

Here the students must think and meet the challenge of producing the new language with activities such as: games, debates, problem solving, descriptions, etc. Where through practice already done, they improve the previous stage of presentation.

These activities should not tell students what to say, for a more customized production. If mistakes are made, they are pointed out after the exercise has finished.