THE SILENT WAYENGLISH TEACHING METHODOLOGY

BACKGROUNDTHE SILENT WAY

BACKGROUND

The Silent Way developed in the 1960s by Caleb

Gattegno.

It was first introduced in Gattegno's book Teaching

Foreign Languages in Schools: The Silent Way in

1963.

It is well known for the use of colored sticks called

Cuisenaire rods and for his approach to the

teaching of initial reading in which sounds are

taught by colors.

OBJECTIVESTHE SILENT WAY

OBJECTIVES

The general goal of the SW is to help

beginning-level students gain basic fluency in

the target language, with the ultimate aim

being near-native language proficiency and

good pronunciation.

They become independent by relying on

themselves.

CHARACTERISTICSTHE SILENT WAY

CHARACTERISTICS

This method is based on the premise that

teacher should be silent as much as

possible and the learners should be

encouraged to produce language as much

as possible.

The method emphasizes the autonomy of

the learner.

CHARACTERISTICS

Pronunciation is seen as fundamental;

beginning students start their study with

pronunciation, and much time is spent

practicing it each lesson.

The Silent Way uses a structural syllabus,

and structures are constantly reviewed

and recycled.

CHARACTERISTICS

The choice of vocabulary is important, with

functional and versatile words seen as the

best.

Translation and rote repetition are avoided

and the language is usually practiced in

meaningful contexts.

Evaluation is carried out by observation, and

the teacher may never set a formal test.

PRINCIPLESTHE SILENT WAY

PRINCIPLES

Teachers should concentrate on how

students learn, not on how to teach.

-Imitation and drill are not the primary

means by which students learn

-Learning consists of trial and error,

deliberate experimentation, suspending

judgement, and revising conclusions.

PRINCIPLES

In learning, learners draw on

everything that they already know,

especially their native language.

The teacher must not interfere with the

learning process.

PROCESSTHE SILENT WAY

TEACHING TECHNIQUE

Silence is a key tool of the teacher in

the Silent Way.

A silent way classroom also makes

extensive use of peer correction.

TEACHING MATERIALS

The Silent Way makes use of

specialized teaching materials:

colored Cuisenaire rods, the Sound-

color chart, Word charts, and Fidel

charts.

ADANTAGESTHE SILENT WAY

ADVANTAGES

This method fosters cooperative learning

between individuals.

It embodies a new approach to education

in general, a respect for the individual and

an awareness of the individual’s

extraordinary cognitive powers.

DISADANTAGESTHE SILENT WAY

DISADVANTAGES

For some teachers the rigidity of the

system may be meaningless.

Learners hard to understand.

TEACHER ROLESTHE SILENT WAY

TEACHER ROLES

The role of the teacher is that of

technician or engineer.

The teachers’ role is one of neutral

observer, neither elated by correct

performance nor discouraged by error.

LEARNER ROLESTHE SILENT WAY

LEARNER ROLES

Learners are expected to:

develop independence and

responsibility

self-correct through their awareness

learn to work cooperatively

RECEPTION AND INFLUENCETHE SILENT WAY

RECEPTION AND INFLUENCE

The Silent Way in the form Gattegno described

can only be used by teachers who are free not to

adopt the Communicative Approach.

Therefore, the Silent Way was only used by a

small number of teachers. However, the ideas

behind the Silent Way continue to be

influential, particularly in the area of teaching

pronunciation.