Communicative Language Teaching: Jeremy Harmer and Scott Thornbury | The New School

The Communicative Approach is so well-established, it's more or less the default methodology for second language teaching. But where did it come from? How has it evolved? Where does it work? What are its strengths and its weaknesses?

In this wide-ranging conversation, in which Scott Thornbury and Jeremy Harmer interview each other, they will address these questions from the point of view of their own experience, convictions and doubts -- and they invite you to do the same!

Jeremy Harmer, faculty in The New School MATESOL program, is known throughout the ELT world for his books on teaching methodology, particularly the classic texts, How to Teach English and The Practice of English Language Teaching. He is the general editor of Longman's "How-To" series and host of the Teacher Development section of the ELT Forum website. He frequently leaves his home base in England to train teachers and to speak at conferences around the world.

Location: Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, Arnhold Hall
Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at 6:00 pm

[maramezina]

the two legends in teaching methodology world without forgetting the theotist Stephen Krashen whom I love so much .❤ thank you for this amazing video that helps us as EFL teachers

[thaithaovy.]

This is gold. Getting to know personal stories of these famous writers is just out of this world, an amazing feeling

[longshikong]

Some highlights for me:
At 39:45 Jeremy quotes Michael Swan as saying "The danger of the communicative approach is we spend too much time doing and not enough time learning."  In rebuffing this, Scott refers to strong versions of the theory (using the language to learn it) and Krashen's influence on him.  At 53:25 Scott quotes Swan from the same paper as saying "The best information gap is that which already exists between students in the classroom." in discussing how to overcome the challenges of TBL,  

[joell]

This is amazing for a developing teacher! Thank you for making this available. It's a jewel for those of us studying and progressing.

[liveincabo]

I don't get tired of watching this video over and over and there's this question that I ask myself very often.... what have we gained, and what have we lost??

[მარიკაბერძენაძე]

Sophie seems to be a new rising star. Her voice, so deep and sensitive, so sweet, her artistic nature and will definitely bring her success. It was such a pleasure to listen to and see you.

[marciohenrique]

I'm a one year studying English I love this language. My dream speak with fluency. I'm from Brazil, and love The EUA.

[dr.janardanpaudelphd]

Many thanks for having this programme.

[TheAnais]

Thumbs up if you are doing the Methodology assingment

[jetuber]

At 45:09, the speaker refers to a textbook that he first encountered in 1986, which then became a runaway bestseller and very influential. What book is he referring to? Please forgive my ignorance --- I'm completely new to this topic.

[EricELT]

Thank you for reminding us of the value, history, evolution, and challenge of the communicative approach.

[angelucan-dzul]

I use Jeremy Harmer for teaching, it's a great book.

[nick]

Communicative approach is what I've been wanting to do since I started teaching

[nsnbenjamin]

The very famous book by Jeremy Harmer is The Practice of English Language Teaching (include a CD). Hope you can find it.

[fernandodiezgallego]

For me the communicative method is simply great and practical for the classroom and for our dear students to learn a second or foreign language, namely English in our case.

[MoacirTeacher]

Thanks for making these discussions / debates available online. Great audio and video, btw. Communicative approach still rules, but my best approach is blending in different methods.

[KimberlyMadrid]

Great video! Is there a transcript available somewhere?

[emiliojay]

Thank you for this. Great help especially preparing activities, materials and esp. tasks for blended learning in the midst of this pandemic this coming school year.

[merewetherful]

I love Jeremy's books about teaching ESL!

[karimbennadji]

I love it
Such as you are pouring some new energy on my mind