2. z
Psychology
The word ‘psychology’ is derived from two Greek words,
‘psyche’,meaning the mind, soul or spirit and ‘logos’, meaning
discourse or study. These words combined produce the ‘Study
of the mind’.
Human psychology is defined as the science of mind and
behavior. It involves the scientific study of mind and behavior
and the application of these principles to the prevention,
treatment, and diagnosis of mental illness, as well as to
learning new things. Psychologists explore both typical and
atypical behavior in order to fully understand the human
experience.
3. z
PSYCHOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF
TEACHING LANGUAGES
It will not be out of place to list
down certain principles which
have been derived from the
science of psychology.
4. z
Principle 1. Motivation.
Motivation is an important factor in language
learning, particularly in learning a second
language. It creates interest as well as the
need to learn the language in hand. If the
need for the language we use is felt, it is
learnt easily. Pupils’ interest can be aroused
in a number of ways, and language learning
can be made increasingly interesting and
attractive.
5. z
It can be done with the help of pictures,
charts, models, flash cards, black board
sketches and similar other visual devices.
The use of tape-recorder can be most
effective in the teaching of pronunciation.
The aim is to have the students maximally
exposed to the target language in variety of
contexts and situations, not in isolation. The
teacher should prompt connections, feed
back and correct errors, if any.
6. z
The rule is teach, test, reteach, retest.
The teacher should make continual
and significant use of language
material in class-room situations.
Palmer suggests the following six
factors which lead to motivate and
create interest among children:
7. z
(i) The limitation of bewilderment, that is, minimum of confusion;
(ii) The sense of progress achieved;
(iii) Competitions;
(iv) Game-like exercises;
(v) The right relation between teacher and student; and
(vi) Variety.
8. z
Principle 2. Frequent Review.
An important psychological principle is the
principle of frequent review. Frequent
review and re-entry of the same material is
necessary for retention. During the process
of reviewing, variations in material should
be essentially be introduced and practised.
9. z
Principle 3. Correct Responses.
It is an important psychological principle
that classroom activities should
strengthen the language skills. The
techniques used by the teacher of
English should encourage the maximum
rate of correct responses. This will give
children the feeling of success,
achievement and assured progress.
10. z
These are, then, some of the basic
principles of language learning and
teaching. These principles are in no way
dictative: they are only suggestive.
(i) Teach the language, not about the language.
(ii) Teach the’ language, not its written system (at the start).
(iii) Teach the language, as it is, not as any one thinks it to be.
(iv) Teach the language, not its literature.
(v) Teach the language as it is now, not in term of its history.
11. z
(vi) Teach the language as a skill, not as an
intellectual task.
(vii) Teach the language in varied, interesting
situations.
(viii) Give maximum exposure.
(ix) Give vocabulary its due place.
(x) Use mother-tongue as a tool, not a medium.
(xi) Immediately reinforce correct response.
