Macro and Micro Methodology in TESL

Abstract

Two interdependent views of what goes on in a classroom can be distinguished in order to understand how we set up an efficient learning and teaching strategy in the classroom. A macro view would look at the characteristic behavior of learners, teachers, instructional materials, and so on. A micro view would look at the material being learned, the way it was presented, and the responses of the learner. Macro methodology is an overall plan for the roles to be played by learners, teachers, instructional materials, and the classroom as they interact with each other to form the most efficient learning and teaching context for the acquisition of communication skills by each learner in the classroom. Micro methodology is an overall plan for the presentation of new language material to learners, the practice of that new language content, and of previously presented language material by learners, and the use of acquired language material as communication skill by learners. While macro and micro methodology are interdependent aspects of a total learning and teaching strategy, they are not only derived from different sets of assumptions, but have differing consequences for the establishment of an effective stategy. Both macro and micro methodology are aspects of the orderly presentation of language material.