The Teaching of English as a Foreign Language and the Linguistic Theory

Are the capacities of pupils developed by "teaching" ? The result of the examination given to the pupils who seemed to have trouble in English language learning is presented, and that measurements should be taken to determine the causes of the difficulties is suggested. 2 . What are the pupils' serious problems related to the learning of English? A few disadvantages of the present teaching of English are noted. 3 . Implications of the linguistic theory for improving English language teaching in Japan. Some implications of transformational grammar for the English language teaching are outlined : ( a ) the innate human capacity, ( b ) the ability of a speaker to recognize and produce an infinite number of sentences which he has not experienced before, ( c ) the deep and surface structures and transformation, ( d ) competence and performance. 4 . In order to apply a better theory on languages, to the teaching of English an educational and academically theoretical orientation is necessary. The higher sciences enlarge and develop the capacity of human beings, but possess a negative aspect depending on how they are applied. How the linguistic theory should be applied to the teaching of English is suggested. 5 . The actual application of the linguistic theory Two topics in reference to the teaching of English are discussed : ( 1 ) It is necessary to point out similarities between aspects of the two languages. ( 2 ) The transformational excercises in meaningful situations develop the capacity bf the pupils' insight into the meaning. 6 . Introspection and prospects It is necessary to verify the various educational strategies through the data on the outcomes of the teaching of English as a foreign language on a national scale.