Language education is the process by which someone learns or teaches a new language. It can apply to one’s Mother Tongue—even if you’re a native English speaker, you may have to take additional courses to prepare you for rigorous academic work—or on a completely different language.

Methods of Language Education

Different schools use different techniques. There really is no one perfect method; it really depends on the learning style of the student, or the teaching philosophy of the school. However, research does show that adult learners have very specific needs and certain methods that may be good for children do not apply to those who are above the age of 20.

Grammar Translation Method

In this method, students are given direct translations of a text and are asked to commit them to memory. It was used in the 19th century but has since been declared an inefficient way of learning a language. However, it is the only method for a student to learn Latin, a dead language.

Audio Lingual Method

This is the method used in those travelers tapes. Students listen to recorded conversations where people act out certain situations. They are also asked to participate in several drills. The emphasis of this method is practical use of a language. However this method is not widely used today, despite studies showing their efficiency.

Communicative language teaching

Communicative language teaching (also called CLT) is teaching method that focuses on interaction between students and teachers. It has been criticized but remains to be popular especially in Europe.

Language Immersion

This method simply surrounds students in an environment where they must speak in a language whether or not they understand it. While it certainly forces someone to speak a language (much the same way that a person who is thrown into a pool learns to swim) its weakness is that it does not promote accuracy of a language. This is very popular in Canada.

Minimalist/methodist

This method is known for its simplicity. It uses flash cards and revolves around using language in a certain context.

Directed Practice

This method uses repetition of phrases in order to master a language. While it is very precise and the grammar is quite accurate, it does not allow a student to learn the language in a flexible manner.
language. Within these limits, the student’s usage is accurate and precise. However the student’s choice of what to say is not flexible.