A Stress-Free Approach to EFL

 

 

Nizam Ahsani

 

 

The teaching of English in formal schools in Indonesia has been generally thought of as dull and frustrating. Although in recent years there has been a shift toward a more communicative approach in teaching, it fails to shed a light on how this approach really operates in the classroom. This paper attempts to offer workable methods and techniques in teaching which can generate a friendly, interesting learning atmosphere for learners with mother tongue acquisition as a model.

 

This paper is centered around stages in teaching techniques which have been designed to bear most resemblance to the condition known to first language acquisition. It starts with a fundamental question of how a certain language unit can be presented in the most natural, meaningful way possible. This includes such stages as checking vocabulary, establishing a context, error correction, standardization, drill and board stage. Each stage is presented with a variety of examples as well as its underlying reasons. This paper then looks further into how the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) can be addressed interestingly through a variety of learning activities (pair work, group work, class work) and what principles governs each activity.

 

 

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Ahsani, N. (2005, April). A stress-free approach to EFL. Paper presented at the RELC International Seminar, Singapore.

 

 

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