HFor Humanistic Approaches

Name: Michael Alexandrovich

ID: 309007623

Humanistic Approaches What Are They? Humanistic approaches are learning

approaches that assert the central role of the ‘whole person’ in the learning process.

Humanistic approaches are more like about what should happen rather than of what does happen.

Thornbury, S. (2006) An A-Z of ELT: A Dictionary of Terms and Concepts Used in English Language Teaching. Oxford, UK. : Macmillan Education

Humanistic Approaches What Is It?

emphasize the “natural desire” of everyone to learn.

learners need to be empowered and to have control over the learning process.

The teacher relinquishes a great deal of authority and becomes a facilitator.

Freire, P. (1972). Humanistic theories. Pedagogy of the oppressed. London, Sheed and Ward / Penguin. Ch.2

Characteristics of humanism

Problem solving Reasoning Free will Self development Co-operation

What Does Happen

Teacher-teaches, students-taught. Teacher knows everything, students

know nothing. Teacher -thinks, students-thought

about. Teacher-talks, students-listen. Teacher-disciplines, students-

disciplined.

What Does Happen

Teacher-chooses and enforces his choice, students-comply.

Teacher acts, students have the illusion of acting through the action of the teacher.

Teacher-chooses the program content, students-adapt to it.

What Does Happen

Teacher-the subject of the learning process, students-are mere objects.

Freire, P. (1972). Humanistic theories. Pedagogy of the oppressed. London, Sheed and Ward / Penguin. Ch.2

What Should Happen

Have a good grasp of language learning theories.

Realize the importance of change. Be aware of the individual learners

‘developmental readiness’.

What Should Happen

Offer students problem to solve, because this is how we learn things.

Be a pragmatist.

What Should Happen

Be aware of what motivates your students. Some will probably want to learn English because they have to, while others want to simply for the sake of it.

Be aware of this mix and use the following information to determine issues like:

What Should Happen

How much testing to do How much fun can be had Should the target language be

representative of one particular speech community or not?

British council. Humanistic language teaching. Retrieved from www. Teaching English. Org. UK

So What Are The Main Goals of Humanistic Approaches?

Personal growth, including realizing one’s full potential.

The development of human values. The learner should be engaged

effectively (ie, emotionally) as well as intellectually.

Behaviours that cause anxiety or stress should be avoided.

So What Are The Main Goals of Humanistic Approaches?

Learners should be actively involved in the learning process.

Learners can and should take responsibility for their own learning.

Thornbury, S. (2006) An A-Z of ELT: A Dictionary of Terms and Concepts Used in English Language Teaching. Oxford, UK. : Macmillan Education

Conclusion

Can these approaches really take place in language learning?

Refferences Thornbury, S. (2006) An A-Z of ELT:

A Dictionary of Terms and Concepts Used in English Language Teaching. Oxford, UK. : Macmillan Education

Freire, P. (1972). Humanistic theories. Pedagogy of the oppressed. London, Sheed and Ward / Penguin. Ch.2

British council. Humanistic language teaching. Retrieved from www. Teaching English. Org. UK