Trends and issues in ELT methods and methodology can be identified at two main levels. One is in terms of the theoretical pronouncements of the "professional discourse", as manifested by major publications, conference presentations, and so on. This article therefore begins by briefly summarizing some of the main developments of this kind from 1995…

The island of Methodologia lies at the heart of the ELT world. It is here that classroom teaching skills are devised, tested, and popularized. However, many ELT practitioners are familiar only with the parts of the island where they grew up, even though there is much to be gained from an appreciation of the culture and history of Methodologia as a…

In recent years, ELT professional discourse has been increasingly characterized by the active promotion of a number of ideas which lack popular appeal. It is argued that one reason for this trend is the influence of the prevailing intellectual ideology in the professionally-dominant Anglophone West--one of "political correctness" (PC). The nature…

The importance of thinking for language learning has been recognized for some time. ELT activities which encourage active mental processing have become increasingly common. However, there is evidence that the use of such activities has still not become widespread in a number of ELT situations. One reason for this may be lack of awareness about how…

Presents a needs analysis framework that was developed out of experience with a professional development project in the Philippines. Offers a principled approach to identifying areas for action within a project, many of which have been traditionally overlooked. (Author/VWL)

Describes a method for narrowing the culture gap that exists between English inservice teacher training courses and the typical teaching institution that was devised in connection with a recent English language teaching inservice teacher development project in the Philippines. This method links the course and the teaching institution so the course…

Examines the dynamic common to the English-as-a-Second-Language classroom in which the teacher takes from the student the burden of the next step in solving a problem, identifies four reasons this is inappropriate, looks at why teachers do it, and offers techniques for handling such situations. (MSE)

Describes the main features of a series of teaching methodology courses that are part of a masters' degree program at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology (Thailand) in English for Science and Technology. The basic course framework, course content, and syllabus are considered. (CB)

Discusses why English for specific purposes (ESP) and the communicative approach are not closely related. Presents some ideas for making ESP more learner-centered and communicative. (EKN)

Discusses materials used for teaching of English-as-a-Second-Language study skills. It is suggested that for ESL study skills materials to be effective, their development should have as a starting point the development of the learners' underlying study competence. (six references) (JL)

Examines the purposes and constraints of the language-learning experience, where participants learn a little of a foreign language to increase their understanding of the language-learning process, for development of teachers of English-as-a-Second-Language. (CB)