The document discusses 13 types of syllabuses used in English language teaching. It notes that while there are many types, actual language teaching syllabuses usually integrate elements of multiple approaches. It provides brief descriptions of procedural, cultural, situational, skill-based, structural, multi-dimensional, task-based, process, learner-led, proportional, content-based, notional/functional, and lexical syllabuses. It concludes that combining aspects of different syllabus types is most effective in practice.

1. An Overview of
Syllabuses in English
Language Teaching
By Mohammad Mohseni Far, M.A.
Shahid Chamran University, Iran.
Presented by:
Christina DeFrancesco
Meghan Wasilewski
ESL 501

2. Introduction
• The purpose of this article is to introduce the influential
types of syllabuses utilized in the domain of ELT.
• A language teaching syllabus involves the combination of
subject matter and linguistic matter.
• It performs as a guide for both teacher and learner by
providing some goals to be accomplished.
• Syllabus, in fact, deals with linguistic theory and theories
of language learning and how they are utilized in the
classroom.

3. Syllabuses in ELT
• There are 13 different types.
• All actual language teaching syllabuses are
integrated product of two or more of the types of
syllabi.
• There is minimal distinction between the skill-based
and task-based syllabuses.

4. Syllabuses in ELT
• 1. Procedural Syllabus- structure can be best learned when
attention is concentrated on meaning.
• 2. Cultural Syllabus- Emphasis on the understanding socio-
cultural implications of language and language use.
• 3. Situational Syllabus- the essential component of
organization is a non-linguistic category, i.e. the situation.

5. Syllabuses in ELT
• 4. Skill-based Syllabus- the content of the language
teaching involves a collection of particular skills that may
play a role in using language.
• 5. Structural or Formal Syllabus- organized along
grammatical lines giving primacy to language form.
• 6. Multi-dimension Syllabus- flexibility to change the
central point of the teaching material as the course
unfolds
• 7. Task-based Syllabus- using tasks and activities to
encourage learners to utilize the language
communicatively so as to achieve a purpose.

6. Syllabuses in ELT
• 8. Process Syllabus- designed as the teaching and
learning proceeds. It supports a frame for decisions and
alternative procedures, activities and tasks for the
classroom group.
• 9. Learner-led Syllabus- an approach based on how
learner’s learn and the direction of the syllabus will be
the responsibility of the students.
• 10. Proportional Syllabus- focus is upon flexibility and
the spiral technique of language sequencing leading to
the recycling of language.

7. Syllabuses in ELT
• 11. Content-Based Syllabus- goal is to teach specific
information and content using the language that the
learners are also learning
• 12. Notional/Functional Syllabus- emphasizes the
communicative purpose of a language and the conceptual
meaning of a language (notions and functions).
• 13. Lexical Syllabus- based on real language. It draws on
the COBUILD research which provides an analysis of a
corpus of natural language.

8. Conclusion
• The various syllabi present valuable insights into creating
a language program and course.
• It is uncommon for one type of syllabus to be utilized
fully in actual teaching settings. It’s not about which type
to choose but which types and how to connect them with
each other.
• In making practical decisions about syllabus design, one
must take into account all the potential factors that may
affect the teachability of a specific syllabus.