Objectives of Teaching English | English Methodology

Objectives of Teaching English | English Methodology

LINGUISTIC PRINCIPLES

1. Language is a system:

• The system of language functions through sounds, words and structures. There can be no utterance without them.

2. Language is vocal:

• Language is primarily speech. Speech is the fundamental thing in language-reading and writing are secondary.

3. Language is a system of symbols:

• The system of language works through symbols i.e. words

4. Language is composed of arbitrary symbols: 

• There is no relation between any language item and what it indicates. It is matter of convention. That is why language is not only arbitrary but also conventional.

5. Language is learned:

• Language is not automatic or instinctive to man as walking to. One learns a language from other people. 

6. Language is made up of habits:

• No language can be learnt without sufficient practice. Learning a language is a process of habit formation.

7. Language is for communication:

• The main purpose of language is communication. 

8. Language is related to the culture in which it exists:

• Language does not exist where there are no people. It is related to the culture in which it exists.

9. Language is unique:

• No two languages in the world have the same set or patterns of sounds, of grammatical signals, of syntax or vocabulary. Each language is unique.

10. Language changes:

• No language is static. It is ever undergoing a change.

THE FOUR GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF TEACHING ENGLISH

The principal aim of teaching English in India is to make the students proficient enough to use the four language skills (LSRW) with felicity and ease. There are four general objectives of teaching English at the school stage. They are:

1. To enable the students to understand English when spoken(Listening) 

2. To enable them to speak English (Speaking)

3. To enable them to read English (Reading) 4. To enable them to write English(Writing)

• The above four objectives correspond to the four language skills or abilities, viz., listening, speaking, reading and writing.
• Listening and reading are passive or receptive skills.
• Speaking and writing are active or productive skills. It is easier to learn receptive than productive skills.