THE SILENT WAY
Reporter: N98C0010
邱稚嵐
THE SILENT WAY---BACKGROUND
Devised by Galeb Gattegno
 An educational designer of reading
and mathematics programs


It was first introduced in his book in 1972Teaching Foreign Languages in Schools: The Silent
Way

He was skeptical of the mainstream language
education of the time.
THE SILENT WAY---LEARNING HYPOTHESES
Learning is facilitated
 if the learner discovers or creates
 by physical objects
 by problem solving
THE SILENT WAY---APPROACH
 Pronunciation
is seen as fundamental.
 Functional and versatile words are chosen.
 Grammar is taught inductively.
 Structural approach is taken.
 Successful learning is through the use of
silent awareness and the active trial.
 The learning process proceeds from
attention, production, self-correction, and
absorption.
THE SILENT WAY---DESIGN
Objectives:
For beginning-level students to gain
 oral and aural facility in the basic elements
of the target language.
 near-native fluency in the target language,
correct pronunciation, and basic practical
knowledge of the grammar.
THE SILENT WAY---DESIGN
Syllabus:
 Structural syllabus is adopted.
 Lessons are planned around grammatical
items and related vocabulary.
 Language items are introduced according
to their grammatical complexity.
THE SILENT WAY---DESIGN
Learning activities:
 The teacher models a word, phrase, or
sentence and then elicits learner
responses.
(Teacher modeling is minimal.)
 Learners then go on to create their own
utterances by putting together old and
new information.
THE SILENT WAY---DESIGN
Learner roles:
Learners are expected to
 develop independence, autonomy,
and responsibility;
 self-correct through their awareness;
 learn to work cooperatively.
THE SILENT WAY---DESIGN
Teacher roles:
Teachers are expected to
 be silent;
 use nonverbal clues to teach;
 evaluate learners soon after teaching
(no formal test);
 silently monitor learners’ interactions.
THE SILENT WAY---DESIGN
Materials:
 Cuisenaire rods
THE SILENT WAY---DESIGN

sound-color charts
THE SILENT WAY---DESIGN

Fidel charts
THE SILENT WAY---DESIGN

word charts
THE SILENT WAY---PROCEDURE

Sound color chart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvyoevK-dh0&feature=related

Cuisenaire rod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q21OE249BNg
THE SILENT WAY---ADVANTAGES
It raises students’ participation.
 Learners cooperate to help each other.
 Learners discover the language on their own, so
they can memorize it better.
 Learners can make use of materials provided by
the teacher.

THE SILENT WAY---DISADVANTAGES
The atmosphere in the class may seem abstract
and weird.
 Learners may have difficulty deriving new concepts.
 The process of self-correction is time-consuming.
 The guidance which learners need is far beyond
what the teacher can provide.
 Teaching materials are necessary.
