Methods of Teaching English

At the end of the twentieth century, the methods of teaching the English language in Russia underwent revolutionary changes. Initially, all priorities in the study of language were given to grammar, literary translation and reading.

Such a system of mastering the language, of course,yielded fruit, but at the same time required a long routine work, which consisted in reading the text, translating, memorizing new words, retelling and exercises in the text. Sometimes dictation or composition was given, and as a rest - a phonetic drill. Such priorities, in fact, implemented only one function of the language - informative. Therefore, it was possible to master the language at a high level only for the most purposeful and hardworking.

If earlier the teaching had moretheorized character, now it has acquired a character applied. There was a change in the functions of the teacher in the educational process - the mentor teacher and the dictator teacher were replaced by a teacher-mediator and a teacher-observer.

At the present time, changes in thepeople's consciousness, especially they are expressed in the need for self-actualization and self-realization. Therefore, in the first place now is the psychological factor of language learning, for which it is important to respect the authenticity of communication, weighted claims and claims, mutual benefit and respect for the freedom of other people.
The first place in the ranking of popularity iscommunicative methods of teaching English, aimed at the practice of communication. This technique pays special attention to speaking and listening to speech.

During the development of the language, simplesyntactic constructions, because oral speech is very different from writing, and it often contains short phrases than long sentences. However, the communicative method is applicable not only for easy conversation. If you want to become a professional in any field and regularly educate on this topic, reading foreign publications, you can increase the vocabulary sufficiently to be able to maintain a conversation with a foreign colleague. Communicative technique, first of all, is designed to remove the fear of communication. A person who can apply a standard set of grammatical constructions and has a vocabulary of 700-1000 words, it will be easier to build communication in an unfamiliar country.
Among the Russian courses on the study of the English communicative method, one of the leading places is occupied by the textbook Headway.

The system of learning English according to the textbook Headwayspecially developed by London methodologists Liz and John Soares for youth and adults. In the system of 5 levels and for each of them there is a "methodical kit", which includes a textbook, a book for students and teachers, audio cassettes. During the course "Headway" the grammar is studied on two levels: in the context of the lesson and in the student's workbook. It is also summarized in a special appendix at the end of the textbook. This approach to the study of grammar is a distinctive feature of this course.