Humanistic Approach

HUMANIST
TECHNIQUE IN ELT
WHAT IS HUMANISM?
Humanism is originally a psychological

term. It emphasizes the importance of
the inner world of the human being and
places the individuals thoughts,
feelings and emotions at the forefront
of all human developments.
WHAT IS HUMANISTIC APPROACH?
Humanistic approach is a language

teaching method which emphasize
humanism as the most significiant
element in the teaching process.
Principles of humaistic approach:
Development of human values

Growth in self-awareness and in
the understanding of others
Sensitivity to human feelings and
emotions
Active student involvement in
learning and in the way learning
takes place
WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE
Affective humaistic approach sees human

being as a whole person.
The content is decided by the student.
The information and learning that takes place
appeals to what the student hopes to gain and
learn.
It depends less on materials techniques and
linguistic analyses, and more on what goes on
inside and between people in the classroom.
WHY HUMANISTIC APPROACH
EMERGED?
o Humanistic approach emerged to eliminate the
limitations of audiolingual (behaviouristic) and
cognitive approach (cognitivist).
o Humanistic approach view of the human being:
made up of a house consisting of mind, body,
emotion and spirit but traditional view of the
student our educational system is generally
focused on the first floor where we deal with
observable data, information focused on skills and
knowledge base so that young people can become
good employees, workers, entrepreneurs and
providers for their families what we might call a
success in life
There are three most important figures in humanistic
approach;
Eric Erikson sees that humans psychological

development depends not only on the way in which
individuals pass through predetermined maturational
stages but on the challanges that are set by society at
particular times in their lives.
Abraham Maslow who proposes a famous hierarchy of
needs deficiency needs and being needs.
Carl Rogers who supports that human beings have a
natural potential for learning but this will take place only
when learning is relevant to individual.
Although they have different ideas they all advocates
humanistic approach.
WHAT ARE SOME IMPORTANT AFFECTIVE
FACTORS IN HUMANISTIC APPROACH?
ANXIETY
SELF ESTEEM : is a kind of self
judgement of worth or value
LANGUAGE EGO : it refers to the relation
between people feelings of personal
identity, individual uniquesness and value
of their first language.
EMPATHY: it means putting oneself into
someone elses shoes of reaching beyond
others feelings.
APPROACH
Theory of learning:
t is constructivist.
According to AHA learning is conducive to
personal change and growth and can
facilitate learning provided that the
student participates completely in the
learning process and has control over its
nature and direction.
AHA sees individuals as different from
each other in terms of psychological and
social side.
Theory of language:
It is structural and
functional.
It includes structural
functional activities.
It gives importance to
forms and meaning.
Students learn only

when language is
meaningful fort them.
OBJECTIVES
Students will learn best what they
want and need to know.
Knowing how to learn is more important
than acquiring a lot of knowledge
Self-evaluation is the only meaningful
evaluation of a student's work.
Feelings are as important as facts.
Students learn best in a non-
threatening environment
TEACHER ROLES
Allow the student to have a
choice in the selection of tasks
and activities whenever possible.
Help students learn to set realistic
goals.
Have students participate in
group work, especially
cooperative learning, in order to
develop social and affective skills.
Act as a facilitator for group
discussions when appropriate.
Be a role model for the attitudes,
beliefs and habits you wish to
foster. Constantly work on
becoming a better person and
then share yourself with your
students.
LEARNER ROLES
They are autonomous.

They learn what they want..Also
they are director as they shape
their activities and group works.
SYLLABUS
Students are given

the freedom to
determine and assess
their learning and
they study language
which they find
meaningful and
relevant to them.
Therefore they learn
whatever form of
language that they
see important for their
LEARNING TEACHING ACTIVITIES
Learning together: 4 to 6 students

have a worksheet they must learn
or complete together.
encouraged to help each other.
No competition among groups.
Student Teams - Achievement
Division (STAD)
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Bringing variety and

creativity to the use of
materials and activities
used in class is the most
facile and fun way of
keeping the motivation
level high in a language
class.
Visually attractive
handouts,
worksheets,
flipchart,
realia,
newspapers,
audiovisual aids
CHARACTERISTICS
The characteristics of this approach are as follows:

There should be respect for both the teacher and
students and their feelings.
Meaningful communication is emphasized.
Pair and group work are emphasized.
It is important for students to support each other.
Learning a foreign language is a self-realization
experience.
Teacher is like a counselor.
Teacher should be proficient in the target language and
students' native language.
Translation can be used in initial stages to support
positive feelings of the st
ADVANTAGES
It improves cooperativeness, creativity

and independence.
It increases positive attitudes towards
teacher and school.
It develops stres free environment.
It reflects a holistic affective and student
centered view of language learning.
It promotes self confidence.
Teachers can use music, art and action to
make the class interesting and lively.
DISADVANTAGES
Humanistic teachers aim for good things

but these are not clearly defined.
Humanistic approach is highly dependent
upon the capabilities of the teacher..
Teachers should be proficient in the
foreign/second language and they should
be viewed as facilitators and counselors
It requires carefull preparation of
materials.
Some members dominate anothers are
ignored.
CONCLUSION
Language teaching and learning is a complex

process. In this process, what to learn and how to
learn are influenced by the cognitive motivation,
yet cognitive motivation is determined by
individualsaffect. So in language teaching,
teachers should always bear the affective factors
in their minds and put students in the first place,
then they may achieve the success in language
teaching.
The honeymoon of humanistic approaches was
short lived. The problem was that humanism in
ELT had become assciated with topics such as
psycho drama, NLP or gestalt therapy.

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HUMANIST

Humanism is originally a psychological

Humanistic approach is a language

Development of human values

Affective humaistic approach sees human

Eric Erikson sees that humans psychological

Students learn only

They are autonomous.

Students are given

Learning together: 4 to 6 students

Bringing variety and

The characteristics of this approach are as follows:

It improves cooperativeness, creativity

Humanistic teachers aim for good things

Language teaching and learning is a complex

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