FROM TRADITIONAL TO SCIENTIFIC APPROACH: THE CHANGING WINDS AND SHIFTING SANDS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING METHOD

Abstract

Foreign language teaching has been around for many centuries, and over the
centuries, it has undergone change. Various influences have affected foreign language
teaching. Goals for learning a foreign language have been different in different periods
and in different places. In particular eras, foreign languages were mainly taught for the
purpose of understanding text (reading comprehension). In others, it was taught mainly
to people who needed to use it for oral communication. These differences influenced
how foreign language was taught in various periods. In addition, theories about the
nature of language and the nature of learning have changed. These also contribute to the
change in trends of foreign language teaching.
Thus, the history of foreign language teaching methodology has always been
characterized by a search for more effective ways of teaching foreign languages.
Language scholars and practitioners have been trying to find the right method for
foreign language teaching. They have got the impression that improvements in foreign
language teaching will result from the improvements in the quality of methods, and
ultimately an effective language teaching method will be developed. Some insights from
the fields of linguistics, psychology, sociolinguistics, or second language acquisition
give significant contribution to the development of foreign language learning.