Structural approach is an approach in the study of language that emphasizes the examination of language in very detailed manner. This strategy, which is considered a traditional approach, examines language products such as sounds, morphemes, words, sentences, and vocabulary, among others. It also facilitates the process of learning language on the basis of structures.
Background The structural approach to the study of language is traced back to the works of the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure. For Saussure, language must be evaluated by looking at its present state as opposed to its analysis based on its history or how language changed over time. He argued that language functioned as a communicative system consisted of verbal as well as written symbols and that language is organic since it is the result of decisions made by individual speakers. Consequent works on the structuralist approach used Saussure's focus not on particular languages but on language as a whole and its deep structures. As an approach to the examination of the language system, the Saussurian conceptualization and its adherents are concerned with the underlying structural rules and these produce meanings. This evolved into the modern conceptualization that feature four basic principles: 1) language is essentially speech; 2) mastery of structures forms the core of the learning process; 3) structures possess the characteristic of a logical sequence, hence the language structures are graded; and, 4) full grading of structures is a basic requirement.
Concept The structural approach is a technique wherein the learner masters the pattern of sentence. Structures are the different arrangements of words in one accepted style or the other. It includes various modes in which clauses, phrases or word might be used. It is based on the assumptions that language can be best learnt through a scientific selection and grading of the structures or patterns of sentences and vocabulary.
Definition This approach as Kripa K. Gautam states "is based on the belief that language consists of 'structures' and that the mastery of these structures is more important than the acquisition of vocabulary. Since structure is what is important and unique about a language, early practice should focus on mastery of phonological and grammatical structures rather than on mastery of vocabulary." Kulkarni "emphasizes the teaching and learning of the basic items or materials that constitute the framework of language." Whereas according to Yardi 'structures' as an "internal ordering of linguistic item", and further adds that structures may be defined as "device that we use to make signal, to convey meanings, and indicate relationship."
Objectives According to Menon and Patel the objectives of the new structural approach are as follows:-
To lay the foundation of English by establishing through drill and repetition about 275 graded structures. To enable the children to attain mastery over an essential vocabulary of about 3000 root words for active use. To correlate the teaching of grammar and composition with the reading lesson. To teach the four fundamental skills, namely understanding, speaking, reading and writing in the order names. To lay proper emphasis on the aural- oral approach, activity methods and the condemnation of formal grammar for its own sake.
Main features of structural approach The structural approach makes use of the following features for teaching the language:
Word order – Word order or the pattern of form is very important in Language for e.g.: a) Jo broke his toy b) The toy broke Jo sentence a) Jo broke his toy – makes proper sense. it shows the arrangement or pattern of words.
The presence of function words: Function words help in modifying meaning considered the following sentence - for e.g.: a) I ate an ice cream. b) I'm eating an ice cream. c) I will eat an ice cream. In the above given example, we can see the modified meaning.
the use of few Inflections: By adding an affix, the base form of the word can be altered.e.g.: a) In verbs: I play; he plays; I am playing; I played b) In nouns; One boy; two boys; one man c) In adjective and adverb: Great – Greater – Greatest
Principles of the structural approach Prof. F.G.French has entitled the following principles underlying the structural approach:
Importance of Framing Language Habits. Importance of Speech – The structural approach is based on the principle of effective used of speech. Importance pupil's activity. The Principles of Oral work – Oral work is the basis and all the rest are built up from it. Each language as its own Grammar – Instead of teaching Grammar of the target language and its structures are to be taught. Creation of different types of meaningful situations by dramatization, facial expression, actions etc. Is stressed upon. One item of language is taught at one time. Mastery of structures is emphasized.
Selection of structures How should a teacher select the structure to teach the learner. This involves the selection of structures. In the structural approach mainly the focus will be on structures. The following principles should be kept in mind while selecting structures :
Usefulness – the structures, which are more frequent in use should be introduced first Productivity – some if the structures are productive, other structures can be built upon. for e.g.: we have two sentence pattern- a) Mr. Roy is here b) Here is Mr.Roy the former pattern is productive because we can frame many sentences on the same pattern like – He is there etc.
Simplicity – The simplicity of the structure depends upon the form and the meaning. Teach-ability – Items easy from teaching point of view. Frequency – The structures must be selected with a high frequency of occurrence. Range – to know, in how many contexts it is applicable Coverage – A word covering a number of meanings For e.g.: Meals Learnabiliy – teacher should focus on the items that are easy for students to learn should be taken first.
Meaning of language Language is the most powerful and central tool in achieving our educational goal. When it comes for examining language, words are focal points and we begin our investigation of language structure by looking at words from four of the following perspectives:
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