Silent way

THE SILENT WAY Zaira Vega Olivero

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Introduction

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Learning theories and educational philosophies

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Teaching materials and demos

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Teaching principles

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Conclusion

CALEB GATTEGNO AND THE SILENT WAY The

silent way(SW), a method of language teaching, originated in the early 1970s and introduced by Caleb Gattegno, who, an Europe educator, is well known for the use of colored sticks called cuisenaire rods and for his approach to the teaching of initial reading in which sounds are taught by colors.

BASIC PREMISES FOR SW The method is based on the premise that teacher should be silent as much as possible and the learners should be animate to produce language as much as possible.  The SW assumes that learners work with resources and nothing else, as they are only responsible for what they learn.  “Teaching should be subordinated to learning.”  Silence makes students to concentrate on what is to be learned. 

LEARNING HYPOTHESES 

Learning is facilitated if the learner discovers or creates rather than remembers and repeats what is to be learned

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Learning is facilitated by accompanying (mediating) physical objects

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Learning is facilitated by problem solving involving the material to be learned.

THEORY OF LEARNING AND LANGUAGE 

A successful learning involves commitment of the self to language acquisition through the use of silent awareness and then active trial.

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Silent Way learners acquire “inner criteria”.

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The Silent Way student is expected independent, autonomous and responsible.

to

become

INDEPENDENT LEARNERS

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Independent learners are aware that they must depend on their own resources and realize that they can use the knowledge of their own language to open up some things in a new language.

AUTONOMOUS LEARNERS 

Autonomous learners choose proper expressions in a given set of circumstances and situations.

RESPONSIBLE LEARNERS 

Responsible learners know that they have free will to choose among any set of linguistic choices, the ability to choose intelligently and carefully is said to be evidence of responsibility.

GOALS OF THE SILENT WAY TEACHER 

Students are able to use the language for selfexpression.

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They need to develop independence from the teacher, to develop their own criteria for correctness.

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They become independent by relying on themselves.

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The teacher should give them only what they absolutely need to promote their learning.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TEACHING PROCESS



The teacher sets up situations that focus on the structures of the language.

 These

are introduced through a language-

specific sound-color chart.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LEARNING PROCESS

Student begin their study of the language through its sounds.

The students receive a great deal of practice with a given target language structure without repetition for its own sake.

NATURE OF STUDENT-TEACHER INTERACTION 

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The teacher is silent.

He is still very active, however-setting up situations to "force awareness,” listening attentionally to students’ speech, and silently working with them on their production through the use of nonverbal gestures and the tools he has available.

NATURE OF STUDENT-STUDENT INTERACTION

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Student-student verbal interaction is desirable (students can learn from one another) and is therefore encouraged.

HOW TO DEAL WITH FEELING OF STUDENTS? 

When their feelings interfere, the teacher tries to find ways for the students to overcome them.

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Through feedback sessions at the end of the lessons, students have an opportunity to express how they feel.

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It is hoped that a relaxed, enjoyable learning environment will be created.

HOW TO ACCOMPLISH EVALUATION?  Although

the teacher may never give a formal test, he assesses student learning all the time.

 Since

“teaching is subordinated to learning,” the teacher must be alert to immediate learning needs.

 The

teacher’s silence frees him to attend to his students and to be aware of these needs.

THE SYLLABUS  Structural

syllabus  Language items  The imperative  Numeration and prepositions of location  Vocabulary

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Color – coded pronunciation charts (Fidel charts)  Color - coded vocabulary wall charts  Colored rods  A pointer  Reading/writing exercises 

TYPES OF LEARNING & TEACHING

ACTIVITIES 

The teacher models a word, phrase, or sentence and then elicits learner responses.

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Learners then go on to create their own utterances by putting together old and new information.

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Charts, rods, and other aids may be used to elicit learner responses.

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Teacher modeling is minimal, although much of the activity may be teacher directed.

FIDEL CHARTS

WORD CHARTS

COLORED RODS

THE PRINCIPLES 

Silence is a tool. It helps to foster autonomy, or the exercise of initiative. The teacher should give only what help is necessary.

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Students need to develop their own inner criteria for correctness.

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Students should rely on each other and themselves.

The teacher’s silence encourages group cooperation.

The principles ďƒź

The teacher works with the students while the students work on the language. The teacher is responsible for creating an environment that encourages student risk taking and that facilitating learning. He is a neutral observer, neither pleased by correct performance nor discouraged by error.

ďƒź

Errors are important and necessary to learning.

They show the teacher where things are unclear.

ďƒź

At the beginning, the teacher needs to look for progress, not perfection. Learning takes place in time. Students learn at different rates.

The principles 

Students should receive a great deal without repetition.



The elements of the language are introduced logically, expanding upon what students already know.

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The teacher can gain valuable information from student feedback. Students learn how to accept responsibility for their own learning.

The principles 

Some learning takes place naturally as we sleep.

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Students will naturally work on the day’s lesson then.

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The syllabus is composed of linguistic structures.

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The skills of speaking, reading, and writing reinforce one another.

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Students need to develop their own inner criteria for correctness.

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The teacher should give only what help is necessary

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To observe their students at work in order to learn how to work with them.

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To evaluate progress from moment to moment.

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To provide non-repetitive and motivating practice.

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To provide meaning through direct perception, not through translation.

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To create a relaxed atmosphere of mutual cooperation.

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To take into account students' individual needs and varying levels of competence.

THE SILENT WAY RESPECTS 

The learners and their learning processes - Because students have already mastered their native language, they are treated as sophisticated language learners.

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The impacts of teaching upon learning - The Silent Way techniques are designed to allow teachers to intervene without interfering with the learning processes.

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The language being learned - The materials and techniques are designed to bring students into contact the totality and complexity of the new language. Yet, used in specific ways, they provide opportunities for working analytically on very pinpointed issues.

AN EXAMPLE