Question

In the Silent Way method, what is a characteristic feature of the teacher's role?

• A. A. Acting as a dominant source of information and correction.
• B. B. Providing extensive explanations and translations.
• C. C. Remaining largely silent, guiding learners to discover language rules.
• D. D. Encouraging free conversation from the very beginning.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. C. Remaining largely silent, guiding learners to discover language rules.

The Silent Way Method: Teacher's Role and Key Features

• The Silent Way is a language teaching method developed by Caleb Gattegno in the 1970s, based on his theory of 'Subordination of Teaching to Learning'.
• A defining characteristic of this method is the teacher's conscious effort to remain largely silent, minimizing their speaking time in class.
• Instead of direct instruction, the teacher acts as an observer, facilitator, and technician, providing just enough input or cues to guide learners.
• The teacher's primary role is to point out errors and guide learners towards self-correction, often using non-verbal cues or gestures.
• This method emphasizes learner autonomy and self-discovery; learners are encouraged to identify and correct their own mistakes and to induce language rules themselves.
• The silence of the teacher pushes learners to become more active and responsible for their own learning process, fostering self-reliance.
• Key tools used in the Silent Way include
  • Cuisenaire rods: These colored wooden rods of varying lengths are used to represent grammatical structures, pronunciation, and even abstract concepts, allowing learners to manipulate and visualize language.
  • Fidel Charts: These are wall charts displaying sounds of the target language with color-coded symbols, helping learners connect sounds to spellings and practice pronunciation.
  • Word Charts: These charts contain core vocabulary and sentence structures.
• The method aims to develop learners' 'inner criteria' for correctness, enabling them to monitor their own linguistic output.
• Learning is seen as a problem-solving activity, where the teacher's silence creates a space for learners to experiment, make mistakes, and discover solutions independently.