Theory and Practice in Foreign Language Teaching — Past and Present

Ellie Boyadzhieva 
(South-West University, Bulgaria)

Abstract: The article presents a concise description of foreign language teaching (FLT) methods from their beginning up to present time. The author sees the particular dominant approaches implemented in foreign language teaching practice as a result of the emergence of new linguistic and learning theories in different historical periods. The new findings in various areas of human knowledge influenced the dominant views in foreign language acquisition and caused particular changes in FLT practices. The interrelation between the leading linguistic and learning theories and the basic methods of teaching foreign languages since 16th century onwards is discussed. Finally, some important facets of the present practices in FLT are put to the fore and a conclusion is drawn that the lack of a dominant teaching theory is the reason why practices in FLT are eclectic and permissive allowing the use of a set of the teaching techniques which proved to be efficient and effective throughout time.

Key words: approach, method, techniques, theory of language, foreign language teaching