There is no one best way to teach English; in fact, there have been numerous tried-and-true methods over time. These are some of the most popular ESL teaching techniques now being used in classrooms, including communicative language teaching (CLT) and total physical response (TPR). Visit AllRight.com to find out more about these and other techniques, as well as how you may use them in a real-world classroom.

What are some effective ESL teaching strategies?

Approach 1: Direct Approach

In the direct technique, just the target language is used for instruction. There are no translations permitted in class, and speaking is emphasized significantly more than grammar. The direct method is a strong student-centered approach that has grown in popularity in recent years as a result.

The direct approach, often known as the "natural approach," is intended to help students pick up the target language spontaneously and intuitively. As mistakes are made in class, they are corrected, and teachers commend students for using the language properly. While teaching English online, this technique is widely employed. To promote an immersive learning environment, a lot of virtual ESL companies mandate that teachers speak exclusively English in the classroom.

Approach 2: Teaching a language in context (CLT)

Perhaps the most widely used methodology for teaching ESL nowadays is communicative language teaching. The student's capacity for communication in authentic situations is emphasized by CLT. Students gain the ability to ask for what they want, accept offers, explain things, and communicate their opinions and preferences.

Additionally, because CLT emphasizes teaching language through real-world tasks and problem-solving, it is less concerned with grammar accuracy and more concerned with fluency.

Approach 3: Project-, task-, and inquiry-based learning

This ESL teaching method occasionally falls under the category of CLT, but it places a strong emphasis on the students' autonomy and uniqueness. A contemporary strategy that is rapidly gaining acceptance in schools all over the world is inquiry-based learning. It is believed that students would be more motivated and engaged in assignments and projects if they ask questions and work through challenges on their own, with the teacher serving as merely a learning facilitator.

Approach #4: Total physical response (TPR)

The Total Physical Response (TPR) approach comes next. TPR is a technique for teaching ESL that you may have heard about in the past. A strategy that has gained a lot of popularity is Total Physical Response, in which the pupils move in response to the teacher. Miming, gesturing, or acting out the language are a few examples.

When studying the word "sad," the teacher and students might, for instance, scowl obnoxiously and act teary-eyed. TPR contends that rather than via analysis, pupils learn the target language best through physical response.

TPR is also frequently utilized while teaching English online and to young learners because it not only aids in vocabulary retention but also serves as a release for pupils' pent-up energy.

Approach 5: An eclectic approach

Many educators select from a variety of communicative and humanistic approaches, such as TPR (the direct method and CLT). They frequently combine elements from numerous other ESL teaching techniques and employ those that are most effective for their particular students. In general, no single approach works for everyone. Different learning styles and preferences will be present among each set of students. For teachers who are unsure about which technique, or methodologies, to use, performing a needs assessment is a fantastic place to start.

In conclusion, this is not the end of the list of English teaching methods, though! You can choose your preferred TEFL/TESOL approach from the ones mentioned above, combine a few methods to educate your ESL students or create your own ESL teaching strategies.