This document presents an overview of the situational approach to teaching English as a foreign language. It was developed in the 1930s by British applied linguists Harold Palmer and A.S. Hornby. The key characteristics are that the target language used is that of the classroom, materials are introduced orally in real or imagined situations, and new vocabulary and grammar points are taught in context. The approach aims to help learners learn language for use in real situations rather than just learning rules. Examples are given to illustrate its use and advantages include improved accuracy, pronunciation, and ability to communicate in speech situations.

1. Situational Approach
•Paper: English Language Teaching
•Presented By: Poojaba Jadeja
•Roll No.: 20
•Year: 2014, semester 3rd
•Submitted to: Smt. S.B. Guardy
Department of English,
Maharaja
Krishnkumarsinhji
Bhavnagar University

2. History
• Developed by British
applied linguists in the
1930s
• Harold Palmer and
A. S. Hornby.

3. Introduction
“when we acquire our primary
language, we do so by learning how to
behave in situations, not by learning
rules about what to say”
-Michael
Halliday

4. Characteristics
• Target language is the language of
classroom
• Language should be realistic
• Materials are introduced orally
• New language points, words,
sentences are introduced from
real/imagined real situations.

5. Teacher introduces
situational context
in target language
• Ask for a
way
Related to context,
teacher uses,
teaches new words
& structure.
• Strait, street,
turn…
Learners will learn
vocabulary,
grammar….
• Communicate
in real situation
Example:

6. Comparison with traditional method
Teacher
teaches
words,
grammar
Students
learn
rules,
structures
Can have
theoretical
knowledge,
can’t use

7. Principles
• language learning is habit-formation
• mistakes should be avoided by the teacher
• language skills are learned more
effectively if they are presented orally
first, then in written form
• the meanings of words can be learned
only in a linguistic and cultural context

8. Advantages
• Learner can practice
vocabularies, grammar, speech,
conversation
• accuracy in pronunciation and
grammar
• ability to respond quickly and
accurately in speech situations
• Internalization of basic structures,
forms, vocabulary

9. Example
Formal conversation In
Interview

10. References
• http://www.ac-limoges.
fr/anglais/accueil/html/EP/
Web4Pages/SitAppLan.htm
• http://www.academia.edu/544004
2/Oral-Situational_Approach