The Romantic Age.

The author S.T.Coleridge belongs to Romanticism, a literary period between 1776-1837. This
period is represented by authors such as: John Keats, Jane Austen, William Wordsworth,
George Gordon. Through their work they wanted to present some of the events of that period
such as: the industrial revolution, the three social classes (landowners & aristrocacy,
businessmen & industrialists, the masses), the war with France. By 1800 Britain was the most
industrialised country in the world. The gouvernment introduced some reforms. It was given the
right to vote for industrialists. The factory act prevented children under 9 from working. A
taxation system was also introduced and it was signed the Act of union of Ireland and United
States. The country wanted stability, political and social democracy. Through his work
S.T.Coleridge showed some values, the importance of nature, life and peace. The poets of
Augustan age saw the artist as an interpreter showing the beauty of what was already known
while the romantics viewed the artist as a creator. The author wanted to help the artist feel and
learn not only from what is known but also by imagination, finding his own identity. It was a time
when religion had to be found in his mind and soul. They saw the life like a dream and
appreciated the values of life. John Keats wrote in one of his beautiful poems: "Life is but a
day...a dewdrop...a rose's hope." The romantics wanted to help the artist overcome the
problems of the world and find inner hope, peace, life.
Approaches to for teaching (A.Vizental, Metodica predarii lb.engleze) - negative and positive
aspects
GTM (Grammar Translation Method)
Negative :
* language learning is rather boring;
*extensive use of mother tongue;
* focuses on grammar;
*oral skills neglected.
Positive:
*gives learners access to English literature, culture and civilization;
* builds grammar, reading, vocabulary and translation skills; necessary to pass tests and exams.
ALA (Audio-lingual)
Negative :
* does not lead to long term communicative competence;
* emphasis on surface forms;
*disregard for affective and interpersonal factors.
Positive:

* quick success, immediate results;

*focus upon ''ability'' to think in a foreign language;
*habit formation through drilling and pattern practice.
CLT (Communicative Language Teaching)
Negative :
* acquisition of bad linguistic habits;
* focus on learning process rather than context;
* focus on oral communication;
* writing is largely neglected.
Positive:
*focuses on communicative competence(meaning and fluency)rather than form and accuracy;
*real-life communication in the classroom.
PCT (Post-communicative turn)
Characteristics:
*task-oriented
* context oriented
* collaborative (learning achievements - social interaction and negotiation of meaning)
* cognitive - lang.learning must go hand in hand with cultural awareness
*encourage learners' autonomy