OTHERING THROUGH IDIOMS AT THE ESL CLASS
OTHERING THROUGH IDIOMS AT THE ESL CLASS

Summary/Abstract: Translation has been practically completely eliminated from second and foreign language teaching. Indeed, the focus in teaching is on the use of the direct method with a communicative approach. As a result, many teachers have opted for eliminating the use of the L1 (in our case, Romanian and Hungarian) and translation exercises in the classroom. However, we must ask ourselves how positive this teaching strategy is for all learners. In a student-centered classroom the focus is on respect for each student’s differences. Therefore, the teacher must respect, at least in theory, the different ways that students learn. And it is indeed possible for the direct method to have positive outcomes for some students. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that for generations the grammar translation method has also had positive outcomes, and this dates back to the Middle Ages (Western world).

• Details
• Contents