Modern Teaching Methods in English Language Instruction: Challenging Cultural Expectations and Student Engagement

After a decade of teaching, including six years as a manager and the last two as a CELTA trainer, my perspective on the most difficult part of teaching English reveals some interesting insights. The key to success in private language schools, in my experience, is finding the balance between improving students' English skills and keeping them engaged and coming back for more. However, this is a challenge that is further complicated by cultural differences in how learning is perceived and approached.

Engagement vs. Skill Improvement

Improving students' English skills is undoubtedly important, but it only tells half the story. For adult students, especially in countries with a history of Soviet education and in Russia, the belief that learning should be challenging is deeply ingrained. In Europe, learning is often viewed more as entertainment, necessitating fun and engaging approaches. In contrast, in the Middle East, teachers are expected to provide a more directive and nurturing environment, almost like spoon-feeding the students.

With young learners or business English students, additional considerations come into play. Often, the student is not the one paying for the learning, but someone else, such as a parent or a company. This means that there are multiple expectations to satisfy. The adult or company sponsoring the student might expect improvement in language skills, while the student might expect an engaging and enjoyable learning experience. The best teachers meet both requirements, ensuring that all parties are satisfied.

The Importance of Rapport and Group Dynamics

A realization I had about six months into teaching was the critical role of building rapport and fostering group dynamics. When you establish a good rapport with your students and create a strong group dynamic, it allows you to use a variety of teaching methods effectively. If you can achieve this, students will follow you to the ends of the earth, regardless of the specific teaching approach.

I also had a conversation with Silvana Richardson, a renowned figure in ELT circles, about the significance of creating enjoyable lessons. While she initially suggested that "engaging" was the right term, I have since revised it to "enjoyable." This shift in terminology emphasizes the importance of keeping students motivated and ensuring they look forward to attending class. This, in turn, leads to better overall progress.

Video Games as a Learning Tool

One of the most enjoyable methods for students to learn a language nowadays is not found in traditional methodology books but in something as unexpected as video games. Children often play video games online with other players, frequently using headsets to communicate. The motivation to solve complex challenges and overcome bosses drives them to learn and use English in a natural context. The immersive nature of video games, combined with the child's eagerness to play and repeat terms, creates a powerful learning environment.

The context provided by video games offers a rich linguistic environment that is easily comprehensible for children. They can easily associate vocabulary with game elements, and repeated exposure to these terms naturally reinforces learning. Some teenagers, who have been playing video games for a decade, achieve a decent level of English despite subpar schooling, thanks to the beneficial exposure they receive.

Modern Methods versus Traditional Approaches

While modern methods often emphasize enjoyable learning, traditional approaches like the audiolingual method and Duolingo have also been gamified to make them more engaging. Gamification has indeed helped to address the challenge of creating enjoyable learning experiences. However, for many students, video games still remain the most enjoyable method of language acquisition due to their interactive and immersive nature.

In conclusion, the most important method for success in teaching English is to create enjoyable lessons that meet the diverse needs of students and their sponsors. Whether you choose communicative, task-based, or game-based methods, the key is to prioritize enjoyment and group dynamics. By doing so, you ensure that your students are motivated to engage with English outside the classroom, leading to faster progress and more effective learning.