This document discusses the key differences between approaches, methods, techniques, and procedures in language teaching. An approach refers to broad theories about language and learning, while a method is the practical implementation of an approach through a system of teaching. Techniques are specific classroom strategies, and procedures are ordered sequences of techniques. Some techniques can be used across methods, but they should align with the overall approach. Categorizing language teaching approaches can sometimes be challenging when elements are borrowed from multiple sources.

1. APPROACHES,
METHODS,
PROCEDURES
AND TECHNIQUES

2. APPROACH
 It is a conjunction of ideas related  It is the level in which a whole
to the nature and teaching of a theory and its beliefs are reflected
given language. regarding a language and its
learning. It is a much wider
 It refers to theories about the
concept than a method and
nature of language and language technique.
learning.
 It is the source of the principles
 It describes how people acquire
and practices of language
their knowledge of the language teaching.
and makes statements about the
conditions which will promote  It describes how a language is
succesful language learning. used and how its constituent parts
interlock.
 It offers a model of language
competence.

3. METHOD
 It is considered the practical  When a method has fixed
realization of an approach.
procedures, informed by a
 It is understood as a group of clearly articulated approach, it is
procedures, a system that clearly easy to describe. However, if a
explains how to teach a language
(syllabus organization -contents & method takes procedures and
skills to be taught-, roles of teachers techniques from a wide variety
and learners, kinds of materials to
use). of sources, that is that they are
used in other methods or are
 It is understood as a group of mentioned by other beliefs, it
procedures, a system that clearly
explains how to teach a language will be very hard to continue
(contents and skills to be taught) describing it as a method. How
should it be categorized then?
 The method is based on a specific
approach. The approach is axiomatic
whereas the method is procedural.

4. TECHNIQUE
 It’s each specific strategy that  These techniques must be
we use in the classroom. coherent with the method, and
therefore, they must be in
harmony with the approach.
 It is a tool that is used to
obtain an immediate result.  Some techniques can be found
in different methods whereas
 It’s what really happens in the other ones are specific to a given
classroom, in the actual method.
teaching.

5. PROCEDURE
 It is an ordered sequence of  It can be understood as a
techniques. set of actions, operations
and strategies which have
to be executed accordingly
 A procedure can be to a perception on how to
described in terms such as obtain a expected result, in
First you do this, then you our case on how to
do that… It’s a lot smaller increase competition in a
than a method, but it’s a foreign language.
sequence of techniques.

6. Let’s think about this…
 If we mention the following concepts, can we clearly
determine if we’re talking about an approach, a
method, a technique or a procedure?
PPP // Suggestopedia // Role-plays // CLT // TPR //
Grammar translation // Silent viewing // Task-based
learning // The Silent Way // Audiolingualism //
Dictation // Community language learning //
Lexical approach //