Deductive and Inductive Approach
Define the following terms, commenting on their importance.
1) Disadvantage and advantage of a deductive approach to grammar teaching.
A deductive approach starts with the presentation of a rule and is followed by examples in which the rule is applied. It is also called rule-driven learning. There are several disadvantages and advantages of this approach. As for the disadvantages, starting the lesson with a grammar presentation may be off-putting for some students, especially younger ones because they may not have sufficient metalanguage such as grammar terminology, or not be able to understand the concepts involved. Next, grammar explanation encourages a teacher-fronted, transmission-style classroom. Third, explanation is seldom as memorable as other forms of presentation, such as demonstration. Forth, such an approach encourages the belief that learning a language is simply a case of knowing the rules. As for the advantages, it gets straight to the point, and can be time-saving. Many rules can be more simply and quickly explained than elicited from examples. This will allow more time for practice and application. Also, it respects the intelligence and maturity of many students, and acknowledges the role of cognitive processes in language acquisition. Next, it confirms many students’ expectations about classroom learning, particularly for those learners who have an analytical learning style. Finally, it allows the teacher to deal with language points as they come up, rather than having to anticipate them and prepare for them in advance.
2) Pros and cons of an inductive approach to grammar teaching
An inductive approach starts with some examples from which a rule is inferred. It is also called discovery learning. There are several advantages of this approach. First, rules learners discover for themselves are more likely to fit their existing mental structures than rules they have been presented with. Second, the mental effort involved ensures a
1) Disadvantage and advantage of a deductive approach to grammar teaching.
A deductive approach starts with the presentation of a rule and is followed by examples in which the rule is applied. It is also called rule-driven learning. There are several disadvantages and advantages of this approach. As for the disadvantages, starting the lesson with a grammar presentation may be off-putting for some students, especially younger ones because they may not have sufficient metalanguage such as grammar terminology, or not be able to understand the concepts involved. Next, grammar explanation encourages a teacher-fronted, transmission-style classroom. Third, explanation is seldom as memorable as other forms of presentation, such as demonstration. Forth, such an approach encourages the belief that learning a language is simply a case of knowing the rules. As for the advantages, it gets straight to the point, and can be time-saving. Many rules can be more simply and quickly explained than elicited from examples. This will allow more time for practice and application. Also, it respects the intelligence and maturity of many students, and acknowledges the role of cognitive processes in language acquisition. Next, it confirms many students’ expectations about classroom learning, particularly for those learners who have an analytical learning style. Finally, it allows the teacher to deal with language points as they come up, rather than having to anticipate them and prepare for them in advance.
2) Pros and cons of an inductive approach to grammar teaching
An inductive approach starts with some examples from which a rule is inferred. It is also called discovery learning. There are several advantages of this approach. First, rules learners discover for themselves are more likely to fit their existing mental structures than rules they have been presented with. Second, the mental effort involved ensures a