Expert Lectures on ELT - Prof. Atanu Bhattacharya

The English language teaching tradition has been subject to tremendous change, especially throughout the twentieth century. Perhaps more than any other discipline, this tradition has been practiced, in various adaptations, in language classrooms all around the world for centuries. While the teaching of Maths or Physics, that is, the methodology of teaching Maths or Physics, has, to a greater or lesser extent, remained the same, this is hardly the case with English or language teaching in general. As will become evident in this short paper, there are some milestones in the development of this tradition, which we will briefly touch upon, in an attempt to reveal the importance of research in the selection and implementation of the optimal methods and techniques for language teaching and learning.

• The Classical Method
• The Direct Method
• The Audiolingual Method
• Suggestopedia
• The Silent Way
• Strategies - based Instruction
• Communicative Language Teaching

Teaching language through Literature:

       Poetry:

Teaching language through literature Poetry can pave the way for the learning and teaching of basic language skills. And it is metaphor that is the most prominent connection between learning and poetry. And because most poetry consciously or unconsciously makes use of metaphor as one of its primary methods, poetry offers a significant learning process. There are at least two learning benefits that can be derived from studying poetry. First is that the appreciation of the writer’s composition process, which students gain by studying poems by components. And second is that Developing sensitivity for words and discoveries that may later grow into a deeper interest and greater analytical ability. But some other benefits of poetry is the educational.

1) provides readers with a different viewpoint towards language use by going beyond the

2) known usages and rules of grammar, syntax and vocabulary,

3) triggers unmotivated readers owing to being so open to explorations and different interpretations,

4) evokes feelings and thoughts in heart and in mind,

5) Makes students familiar with figures of speech due to their being a part of daily language use. Example of simile, metaphor, irony, personification, imagery, etc.

Thus, poetry is a rewarding and enjoyable experience with the properties of rhyming and rhythm both of which convey “love and appreciation for the sound and power of language.” At this juncture, it can be stated that students become familiar with the suprasegmental aspects of the target language, such as stress, pitch, juncture, intonation by studying poetry.