What is your opinion on this topic? Are we in a post-method era where rather than methods we are just using other means for teaching a foreign language, e.g. macrostrategies understood as general plans derived from currently available theoretical, empirical, and pedagogical knowledge related to L2 learning and teaching. A macrostrategy is a broad guideline based on which teachers can generate their own location-specific, need-based microstrategies or classroom procedures. In other words, macrostrategies are made operational in the classroom through microstrategies. Macrostrategies are considered theory-neutral, because they are not confined to underlying assumptions of any one specific theory of language, learning, and teaching, discussed in Part One. They are also considered method-neutral because they are not conditioned by a single set of principles or procedures associated with language teaching methods (Kumaravadivelu, 2008:201).
The teacher is the one who has the opportunity to select the method most appropriate for his/ her learners. Kumaravadivelu’s framework (2006) is an opportunity for teachers to adopt new methods because it relies on global-level strategies, macrostrategies, that are general enough to allow teachers the opportunity to freely adjust their precise implementation in relation to individual teaching demands, along with more particular implementation tactics, microstrategies, that operationalize the macrostrategies in flexible and customizable ways according to perceived needs during the in-context process of teaching.
Thanks Aida Mohammad Ali Bakeer , but do you think that what Kumaravadivelu calls strategies are the same as a method, because he explains the "death" of methods and substitutes them for strategies?
In my opinion, the teacher follows strategies to cope with different situation, and learning environment. These strategies are more specified than methods. The different principles and methods are used by teachers to enable student learning. These principles and methods are interpreted by means of strategies, which are determined partly on subject matter to be taught and partly by the nature of the learner.
in my opinion, whether we like or not, we are following what Kumara focused on. in the post modern era, sticking to specific methods and imposing them is not appropriate. some strategies should be applied considering practicality, particularity and possibility
Design a test. Conduct in first class (Pre-semester test) and same test conduct in end class (post semester test). The students learning could be gauged.
I agree with you Elbadri Abbas Elzubier
on the idea that textbooks designers are, in a way, who "dictate" the teaching method. However, we - teachers and researchers - should work a bit more on that "room for freedom" to adopt strategies or procedures, or even methods, that best accommodate our learners, and to train future teachers in learning to do so beyond the textbook as the only teaching material in the foreign language classroom.
Teachers should be eclectic in their methods of teaching English. It all depends on various variables ( students, teachers' beliefs, textbooks , environment and available resources.
Post method era places a high premium on the method alternative rather than the alternative method. However, the knowledge of methods and theories is a very significant part of teachers' professional knowledge. The important thing is that teachers should learn how to apply theoretical knowledge to practical wisdom.
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