The Benefits and Challenges of Tesol Methodology

“This is NOT A LECTURE COURSE. It is an intensive, hands-on, interactive program filled with practice sessions. We specialize in practical methodology and NOT theory. Sessions are enthusiastic, dynamic, energetic and filled with humour.” (CIE Website, 2007) These are the interest-arousing words of Harry Cotton found printed on the CIE website. Dr. Cotton is a pioneer in the field of advanced TESOL methodology and language acquisition. The techniques taught in the CIE TESOL course are based on his research into language acquisition methodology and represents the methods that are proven and field tested during his 45 years of teaching experience. Why would an English teacher or a would-be English teacher be interested in the CIE TESOL methodology? “This is because the English language teaching tradition has been subjected to a tremendous change, especially throughout the twentieth century. Perhaps more than any other discipline, this tradition has been practised, in various adaptations, in language classrooms all around the world for centuries. While the teaching of Maths or Physics, that is, the methodology of teaching Maths or Physics, has, to a greater or lesser extent, remained the same, this is hardly the case with English or language teaching in general.” (Thanasoulas, 2002) But why learn TESOL methods from Canadian Institute of English? This is because the Canadian Institute of English has been the fore runner in establishing and redefining the teaching methodologies. Their dynamic and versatile methodology reflects that. And there is a serious need for TESOL methods which are purposeful. Why?

According to Morehouse (2007), Director of Teach International, an Australian company offering TESOL courses, “English is considered the global language for business and technology. It is the most studied second language in the world (about 418 million people study English!). Indeed, the demand for English teachers around the world is unprecedented. Globalisation of