Year | definition | source | 1963 | "a set of correlative assumptions dealing with the nature of language and the nature of language teaching teaching and learning. An approach is axiomatic. It describes the nature of the subject matter to be taught. It states a point of view, a philosophy, an article of faith - something which one believes but cannot necessarliy prove. It is often unarguable except in terms of the effectiveness of the methods which grow out of it." | Anthony, E. M. (1963, p.63) |
1986 | "approach refers to theories about the nature of language and language learning that serve as the source of practices and principles in language teaching." | Richards, J. C. & Rodgers, T. S. (1986, p.16) |
2007 | "people use the term approach to refer to theories about the nature of language and language learning which are the source of the way things are done in the classroom and provide the reasons for doing them. An approach describes how language is used and how its constituent parts interlock - it offers a model of language competence. An approch describes how people acquire their knowledge of the language and makes statements about the conditions which will promote successful language learning." | Harmer, Jeremy (2007, p.62) |
2011 | ".. sometimes distinguished fom method, approach refers to the coherent set of assumptions about language and language learning that underpin L2 teaching methods and methodology. However, the term is often used interchangeably with 'method'" | Hall, Graham (2011, p.242) |