Eclectic

Theory
By: Mrs. Hope P. Obrique
Introduction:
Eclectic Theory/Approach
Eclectic approach is a method of language learning/teaching that
combines various approaches and methodologies to teach language
depending on the aims of the lesson and the abilities of the learners. In
this approach teacher has more flexibility & adaptability to choose best
elements according to the need & aim of the students. Different
teaching methods are borrowed and adapted to suit the requirement of
the learners. It breaks the monotony of the class. There are varied
approaches and methods used for language teaching.
The eclectic theory of language was advocated during the year 1990’s and
because important for the educational theory of language learning. It is
popular because it has the impact of good results without much pressure
on the learner. The advantage of this theory is learners have clear vision
what they are learning. Multiple tasks, high interaction, lively learning,
objective correlative, and fast results are the salient features of this
method. Some learners go by their own way of communicating strategy,
they will become more confident in writing but most often they fail in
speaking. The purpose of advocating eclectic method is to connect life
experiences to the ideas presented in learning of the language. The types
of learning activities teachers select are often directly related to their
experiences in the real world.
In eclectic approach, the teacher can choose
from these different methods and approaches:
Grammar-translation Method-It is a method of teaching
languages by which students learn grammatical rules and then
apply those rules by translating between the target language
and the native language. Direct Method: In this method the
teacher refrains from using the students' native language. The
target language is directly used for teaching all the four skills—
listening, speaking, reading and writing.
 Structural-situational Approach- In this approach, the teacher
teaches language through a careful selection, gradation and
presentation of vocabulary items and structures through
situation based activities.[ Audio-lingual/Audio-visual
Method: In this style of teaching students are taught through
a system of reinforcement. Here new words and grammar are
directly taught without using the students' native language.
However, unlike direct method, audio-lingual method does
not focus on vocabulary. Instead, the teacher focuses on
grammar through drill and practice.
 Bilingual Method- The word 'bilingual' means two languages. In
bilingual method, the teacher teaches the language by giving
mother tongue equivalents of the words or sentences. This
method was developed by C.J. Dodson. Communicative
Language Teaching: This approach lays emphasis on oral method
of teaching. It aims to develop communicative competence in
students. Total Physical Response: It is based on the theory that
memory is enhanced through association with physical response.
 The Silent Way- In this method the teacher uses a combination of
silence and gestures to focus students' attention.
Basic Concepts
 Approach Provides principles to decide what kind of content
and what sort of procedures are appropriate. Method It is
HOW the teaching is to be conducted. It is a practical
realization of an approach
 Technique : Any of a wide variety of activities or devices in
the language classroom for realizing lesson objectives. It must
be consistent with ‘a method ’ and in harmony with an
‘approach’
General overview of the method
 A main proponent of the eclectic approach is Rivers
(1981). According to him, an eclectic appraoch allows
language teachers to « absorb the best techniques of all the
well known language teaching methods into their
classroom procedures, using them for the purposes for
which they are most approproate » Origin: late 17th
century (as a term in philosophy): from Greek eklektikos,
from eklegein ‘pick out’, from ek ‘out’ + lege in ‘choose’
Method
 Only well-trained teachers can become eclectic: teachers with no theoretical
thinking about the advantages and drawbacks of any approach cannot use it.
 The eclectic method is a combination of all the teaching approaches
 Advantages Multiple tasks, high interaction, lively learning and fast results
are the salient features of this method A main proponent of the eclectic
approach is Rivers (1981). According to him, an eclectic appraoch allows
language teachers to « absorb the best techniques of all the well known
language teaching methods into their classroom procedures, using them for
the purposes for which they are most appropriate.
 Flexibility in choosing any aspect or method that teachers think suitable
for teaching Giving a chance to students to see different kinds of
teaching techniques that break monotony It helps connect life
experiences to the ideas presented Teachers have the chance to choose
different kinds of teaching techniques in each class
 Criteria for effective teaching methods It must be simple for both teacher
and learner, and must be within the capabilities of all teachers. Also, the
teacher must feel that pupils are progressing satisfactorily. It must bring
about a balance between the spoken and written or printed word (and
must be flexible enough for the teacher to concentrate on the area (s)he
wants). It must overcome the conflict between fluency and accuracy.
 It must reflect the linguistic habits the child has already acquired by
learning his/her mother tongue and their ability to assimilate a new
language. It must enable work done with modern teaching aids (e.g.
audio-visual aids, computer) to be an extension of the method used in
class. It must be sufficiently flexible to cope with various class
conditions ( as far as pupils' specific / general interests are concerned )
 It must ensure that pupils are given the opportunity of having the
greatest number of meaningful contacts possible both with and in the
foreign language
Procedure

It is difficult to put this theory in one or two sentences. It
is perfect that it is not a scientific drill method and it is
neither a teaching tool for the teacher nor a learning
method for the learners. It is a whole way of doing things
such as listening coordinated speaking with subsidiary
elements like pronunciation and form of the language.
Learning the language as a whole
 Tracher of English widely using method of teaching is deductive
way of discrimination parts of language acquisition for instance,
vocabulary and pronunciation are not two separate entities. All the
parts of language must be put together and learnt concurrently. Each
item in language teaching and learning process has to be discussed
several times in due course. Learners should grasp the chance and
coordinate their abilities to strengthen learning process so that the
results are positive. Learners should show considerable amount of
interest in learning the four skills (LSRW) of the language.
Peer work/Group activity
 Participants in discussion with peer, contextualize the language,
present a report. Read textbooks, story books, newspapers to bring
the context in the group and have a conversation. This method
consequently imposes on learners’ development. Create an
opportunity, reinforce materials, arrange the learners balancing their
abilities then work on the activity. The comprehensibility of the
input will be raised by the learners’ repetition and argument. This is
minimal interference of the teacher by giving maximum exploration
to the learners. In addition shy and fear of speaking belittle the
objective and interpersonal skills will be enhanced.
Focus on the spoken English
 The spoken language allows one to locate the appropriate way
to get a particular objective. The importance of introducing
cultural product is as crucial to such learning of the language
as capturing and enhancing knowledge or expressing one’s
feelings. The problem of speaking ranges from creating a
story which has to anticipate events. Eclectic way of speaking
is a wonderful way of achieving objective of learning.
Conclusion
Unlike any other influential educational theory, the “Eclectic” theory
has caused sharp curved for many researchers of English language
teaching. The development is further progressed into sharper analysis.
Some people advocate it greatly and some criticize it harshly. Of
course, it has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Firstly, with this theory, it becomes easier and more possible for the
learners to understand the language of the text with the context of
culture..
Secondly, it blends the practices of listening, speaking, reading and
writing into an organic whole.
 It is obvious that any one method does not serve the right purpose of
teaching English. This is how teaching English by combination of
various methods and approaches will help the teacher to teach English
effectively. Teaching of English should be made easy by bringing into
realistic situation, the best way of teaching English is by creating
situations. The situation makes the language easily comprehensible. It
connects a closer link between an expression and its usage by
coordinating meaning. It is also important that creating situations
should be appropriate to students’ level and their context of culture.
Reference:
 The Eclectic Method- Theory and Its Application to the Learning of English (ijsr
p.org)