Silent Way

Bacground

The silet way (SW), a method of language teaching, originated in the early 1970s and introduced by Caleb Gattegno, who an Europe educator. Is well known for the use of colorred sticks called Cuisenaire Rods and for his approach to the teaching of initial reading in which sounds are taught by colors.

The teacher just shut up and just give instruction in a short period of time. He only acts as a guide, organizer, and an error evaluator students. Instead, each student is involved in an active learning would think to follow the detail by detail the materials provided by their teachers.

The Silent Way Student

1.      Independent Learner

Independent learner are aware that they must depend on their own resource and realize that they can use the knowledge of their own language to open up some things in a new language.

2.      Autonomous Learner

Autonomous learner choose proper expression in a given set of circumstance and situation.

3.      Renponsible learner

Responsible learner know that they have free will to choose among any set of linguistic choices, the ability to choose intelligently and carefully is said to be evidence of responsibility.

Pedagigical Materials that are Both Effective and Fun to Use

1.      Word Chart

2.      The Fidel

3.      Cusenaire Rod

4.     A pointer

5.      The sound / Color Rectangle Chart

Objectives of Learning

1.   The general goal set for language learning is near-native fluency in the target language, and correct pronunciation and mastery of the prosodic elements of the target language emphasized.

2.    The teacher should give them only what they absolutely need to promote their learning.

3.      The become independent by relying on themselves.

Learner Roles

1. Learner are expected to develop independence, autonomy, and responsibility.

2.  The autonomous learner chooses proper expression in a given set of circumstance and situation.

3.      The absence of correction and repeated modelling from the teacher requires the student to develop “inner criteria” and to correct themselves.

Teacher Roles

1.      The teacher is technician or an engineer who facilitates learning.

2.      The teachers role is one of neutral observer, neither praise nor criticized, merely looks for continued improvement.

3.      Teacher silently monitors learner’s interactions with each other and may even leave the room while learners struggle with their new linguistic tools.