HUMANISTIC
APPROACH
HUMANISTIC APPROACH
• The Humanistic Approach to language teaching is an educational
philosophy that emphasizes the importance of the learner's personal
growth, emotions, and social well-being in the learning process.
• It is rooted in humanistic psychology, which focuses on human
potential, self-actualization, and the holistic development of
individuals.
• It values creating a positive, empathetic, and supportive environment
that fosters learners' emotional and psychological comfort.
KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE HUMANISTIC
APPROACH
• Learner-Centered Education
• Focus on Personal Growth
• Affective Learning
• Encouragement of Intrinsic Motivation
• Teacher as a Facilitator
METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN THE
HUMANISTIC APPROACH
• Suggestopedia
• Suggestopedia, developed by Bulgarian psychologist
Georgi Lozanov
• is based on the belief that a relaxed state of mind can
accelerate language learning.
• It incorporates elements such as music, comfortable
settings, and positive reinforcement to enhance learning.
KEY PRINCIPLES
• Relaxation and Suggestion
• Positive Atmosphere
• Use of Music
• Role of Suggestion
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
• Concert Sessions: Lessons begin with a “concert session,”
where teachers read or play dialogues or vocabulary lists with
music playing in the background.
• Role-Playing: Students take on new identities and situations,
allowing them to experiment with the language in a stress-free
environment.
• Vocabulary and Grammar Exercises: Exercises reinforce the
material in an engaging, often non-threatening way.
THE SILENT WAY
• The Silent Way, created by Caleb Gattegno, emphasizes learner
autonomy and problem-solving.
• The teacher speaks as little as possible, allowing students to discover
language rules independently.
• Key Principles:
• Discovery Learning: Learners are encouraged to figure out language
structures themselves rather than being given rules.
• Silence from the Teacher: The teacher uses silence as a tool to
encourage student talk and self-reliance.
• Use of Visual Aids: Tools like Cuisenaire rods (colored rods) and
phonemic charts guide students in discovering language rules.
• Focus on Pronunciation and Accuracy: Students are given plenty of
time to practice sounds and correct themselves with minimal teacher
input.
• Inner Criteria: Students develop an “inner sense” of what is correct
through repetition and experimentation.
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
• Phonemic Awareness: Teachers might point to sounds on
a chart, and students match them with the words they’re
learning.
• Self-Correction: The teacher remains silent and only
intervenes to provide non-verbal cues, giving students time
to self-correct.
TOTAL PHYSICAL RESPONSE (TPR)
• Total Physical Response, developed by James Asher, combines
language learning with physical movement. This method is particularly
effective for young learners or beginners who benefit from a kinesthetic
learning style.
Key Principles:
• Language and Action: Students respond to commands that require
physical movement, reinforcing understanding and retention.
• Listening before Speaking: Students develop comprehension skills
through listening and responding, which eventually leads to speaking.
• Reduction of Stress: Physical activity helps lower the stress
associated with learning a new language, making it enjoyable and
engaging.
• Focus on Verbs: TPR emphasizes action words, as students perform
activities that correlate with the vocabulary being taught.
• Classroom Activities:
• Commands: The teacher gives commands like “jump,” “sit down,” or
“touch your nose,” and students physically follow the instructions.
• Storytelling with Actions: Teachers tell stories
or read sentences while students act them out,
reinforcing vocabulary and grammar structures.
• Role-Playing Games: Students take on different
roles and act out scenarios, helping them
remember vocabulary in context.
COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHING (CLT)
• Communicative Language Teaching focuses on interaction as
both the means and goal of language learning. It encourages
meaningful communication and real-life interactions.
• Key Principles:
• Focus on Communication: Emphasis is placed on fluency over
accuracy, encouraging students to communicate naturally.
• Real-life Situations: Language is taught through real-life contexts,
making it more relevant and functional for learners.
• Real-life Situations: Language is taught through real-life contexts,
making it more relevant and functional for learners.
• Integration of Skills: CLT incorporates listening, speaking, reading,
and writing as integrated components of language learning.
• Role of the Teacher as a Facilitator: The teacher facilitates
communication and provides feedback, rather than focusing on explicit
instruction of grammar rules.
• Use of Authentic Materials: Materials such as newspapers, videos,
and everyday items are used to make lessons practical and relatable.
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
• Role-Playing and Simulations: Students engage in role-plays and
simulations to practice language in realistic contexts.
• Information Gap Activities: Pair or group activities where each
student has unique information, requiring them to communicate to
complete the task.
• Discussions and Debates: Students engage in group discussions and
debates, promoting spontaneous language use.
• Interviews and Surveys: Students conduct interviews or surveys with
each other, practicing question formation and active listening.
• THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
