Top 7 Teaching Methods for English Language Teachers

Whether you're a seasoned English language teacher or just getting started, understanding and revisiting various pedagogical approaches can unlock your teaching potential and set you on a path for professional growth. Read on to come back to basics and review some tried-and-true teaching methods and strategies for ESL and EFL teachers.

1. Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) first emerged in the 1970s and has remained the gold standard of English language teaching (ELT) ever since. Unlike its predecessors—the Grammar Translation Method, the Audiolingual Method, and the like—CLT is all about getting ESL and EFL students to actually use the language in context rather than endless drills. It expands our understanding of language learning from an isolated study of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation to a holistic view of language acquisition focused on communicative competence in real-world contexts. More than a language teaching method or strategy, CLT is a philosophy that shapes teachers’ approach to their craft. 

2. Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT)

Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) is a methodology that focuses on the use of authentic language to complete meaningful tasks. Rather than presenting isolated grammar points or vocabulary lists, TBLT organizes the curriculum around tasks that students need to accomplish, such as planning a trip, solving a problem, or giving directions. Sound familiar? TBLT emerged from the CLT movement, building upon its core principles of emphasizing real-life communication and problem-solving, making language learning more engaging and relevant for students.

3. Project-Based Learning

Project-Based Learning (PBL) takes the concept of tasks a step further by engaging students in extended, in-depth projects that culminate in a tangible product or presentation. There’s a reason we love project-based learning! From creating a travel guide for learners’ city to leading a local sustainability campaign, PBL is a particularly powerful tool for language development in an ESL/EFL context. A form of experiential learning and inquiry-based learning, PBL encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and the integration of language in a meaningful and authentic way, mirroring real-world challenges and communication needs.

4. The Lexical Approach

Vocabulary is at the heart of language learning, and most teachers are likely already applying the Lexical Approach in their classrooms, whether intentionally or not. As our podcast guest Erin O’Byrne outlines, this approach posits that language learning is not primarily about mastering grammar, but about acquiring a large bank of “lexical chunks” or multi-word units. Rather than focusing on individual words or grammatical rules in isolation, this method emphasizes using these chunks of language in context. The Lexical Approach is the starting point of some really great vocabulary activities—from beginner vocab to more advanced language practice.

5. Total Physical Response (TPR)

Total Physical Response (TPR) is another old-school language teaching method that is particularly effective for beginners and young learners. It's based on the premise that language learning should mimic the way children acquire their first language: by responding physically to commands before they are able to produce speech. In a TPR classroom, the teacher acts out commands and students respond with actions, leveraging kinesthetic learning to aid memory retention and create a connection between the spoken word and its meaning.

6. Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) or Content-Based Instruction (CBI) is an approach to content-based instruction where students learn a subject, such as history or science, through the medium of a foreign language, simultaneously focusing on mastering both the subject content and improving their language proficiency. Though the formats and methods associated with CLIL or CBI vary greatly, successful integration of content and language instruction can lead to a rich learning environment. 

7. Trauma-Sensitive Teaching & Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

The CASEL Framework

This list wouldn’t be complete without mention of Trauma-Sensitive Teaching and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), two areas of education increasingly recognized as fundamental to creating a supportive and effective learning environment. While not specific to English language teaching, these approaches can be particularly applicable in ESL contexts, as many students—particularly those who have experienced displacement—may have experienced trauma that impacts their ability to learn. By integrating SEL principles, teachers can foster emotional regulation, empathy, and positive relationships, which are crucial for language acquisition and overall well-being. 

It’s important to recognize that no single method is the end all be all in English language teaching, and that an eclectic approach is the best way to support the unique needs of your learners. In other words, don’t get hung up on a single method; pick and choose which approaches will work best for a specific activity, lesson, unit, or student(s). 

By thoughtfully selecting and adapting these approaches, English language teachers can create dynamic, engaging, and effective classrooms that empower students to achieve communicative competence and a lasting love for the English language.

Get featured on an episode!

Which teaching methods for English language teachers do you apply in your classroom? How are things going this school year? We want to know! We challenge you to record a 60-second voice memo reflecting on your teaching practice. Share it with us and get featured on our next Friends of the Podcast episode! Listen to the prompt and record your voice memo here to participate.