Caleb Gattegno is best known

for his innovative approaches to

teaching and learning
mathematics (Visible & Tangible
Math), foreign languages (The
Silent Way) and reading (Words
in Color).
 Cognitive Language
From the known
psychology is Learning is the
to the unknown.
the basis. rule formation.

Sts induce the

Learning
rules from
inductive.
examples
Languages of the world share a number of
features
However each language is unique.
Language is for self expression (to express
thoughts,
perceptions, ideas and feelings).
Everyday life
Art
Literature
 Technician or an engineer who facilitates
learning. Only the learner can do learning.
The teacher is silent: silence is a tool because
teachers silence gives the responsibility to
the student.
Students are responsible for their own
learning. The teacher works with the
students and the students work on the
language. St- st interaction is
important. Students can learn from each
other.
The teacher is silent in T-st
interactions.
St-St
 By means of visual aids and
word charts. It is always recycled
by means of word charts.
Focus on the structures
of the language
although explicit
grammar rules are
never given.
Sound colour charts (for
teaching pronunciation; one
colour represents one sound),
colour rods (for cognitive coding
of grammatical patterns), 8 fidel
charts (used for sound spelling
association).
There is no linear structural
syllabus. The teacher starts with
what students already know,
and builds from one structure to
the next. The syllabus is
developed according to the
students’ learning needs.
L1 can be used to give instructions when
necessary. Not by translation. During
feedback sessions L1 can be used at
beginning levels. Par example, similar
sounds in L1 and L2 can be used to make
students aware of phonological similarities.
 Never give a formal test.
 Assesses students learning
all the time.
 Continuous monitoring by the
teacher is essential.
Students should be able to
use the target language for
self expression (to express
their thoughts, feelings,
ideas).
 Students` negative feelings are treated by
the teacher.

They can express their feelings like their

fears

Students are encouraged to co-operate

with one another in order to create a
relaxed and enjoyable classroom
atmosphere.
TECHNIQUES
Different coloured
rectangles; each colour
corresponds to a sound in
the language.

This chart enables

students to work with
precision on the fine
phonetical distinctions.
2.Cognitive coding with colour rods
3.Peer correction to improve
co-operative manner
4.Self correction gestures
 Teacher`s silence

Don’t teach learners what they already know

Don’t teach learners what they can figure out on
their own
 6.Structured Feedback
Student are invited to talk about the days
instruction. Student learn to take responsibility
for their own learning by becoming aware of
themselves and by controlling and applying their
own learning strategies.
 7.Fidel charts
Used to teach sound spelling association.
The Fidel is a set of charts presenting all the possible spellings of
each sound of the language using the same colour code as the
rectangle chart and word charts.
 8. Word charts
Used to teach and recycle vocabulary .The words
are written in different colours so that students
can leam basic pronunciation patterns.
The First English Word Chart
The colour code is the same as that of the rectangle chart and the fidel.
Only the structural vocabulary of the language (about 500 words) is included:
pronouns, articles, prepositions, common adjectives and adverbs, conjunctions,
auxiliary verbs and a few other common verbs but very few nouns.
The use of colour enables students to read directly in languages with a different
alphabet or characters and to pronounce correctly what they read.
The Silent Way was implemented in this round of ideation involving the first set of
pattern criteria (warm colors, words, and visitors).
 THE SILENT WAY

CALEB
GATTEGNO

Grammar
syllabus role of L1 goals and
Teaching Evaluation
objectives

There
develops NO be Teacher
According Similar sounds in L1 and
Is a focus on Exploited Assesses Students should be able
to the Linear L2 can be used to make
the structures students' to use the target
students' structural students aware of
of the learning all language for self
learning syllabus phonological similarities.
lenguage For example the time expression
needs.

Students should rely on

themselves to be able to
.
use the target language