Journal Screenshot

International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2222-6990

The Efficacy of the Eclectic Approach on Students Language Performance in ESL/EFL Classrooms: An Overview (2019 - 2023)

Nur Maheerah Hanun Ab. Ghafar, Suhailah Rahmam, Siti Fatimah Abd. Rahman

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v13-i8/17346

Open access

Eclecticism combines various approaches and methods based on learner requirements and classroom circumstances since relying on a single conventional method may not maximise learning outcomes. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of the eclectic approach in improving students' language performance and examine the commonly paired combination of English Language Teaching (ELT) methods. This traditional literature review selected a total of 18 articles. The findings highlight the effectiveness of the eclectic approach in enhancing the learning experience, speaking skills, and communication skills. Besides, Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), Task-based Learning (TBL), Grammar-Translation Method (GTM), and Audio-Lingual Method (ALM) were commonly blended in language teaching and learning. This study increases the literature and serves as guidelines for teachers in implementing eclecticism in English as a second language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) contexts. It emphasises the importance of providing adequate training to educators to enhance their pedagogical skills and effectively use the eclectic approach.

Al-Hamash, I. K., & Younis, H. (1985). Principles and Techniques of Teaching English as a second language. Baghdad: Alshaay Press.
Al-Jarrah, J. M., Alkhanous, Y. Z., Talafhah, R. H., Al-Jarrah, T. M., Mansor, N., & Al-Jarrah, J. M. (2019). The eclectic approach is a therapy for teaching English as a foreign language to Arab students. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 8(1), 100–113. DOI: 10.6007/IJARPED/v8-i1/5538
Al-Khasawneh, F. (2022). A systematic review of the eclectic approach application in language teaching. Saudi Journal of Language Studies, 2(1), 17–27. https://doi.org/10.1108/sjls-11-2021-0022
Alam, M. M., & Sultana, T. . (2021). Challenges and effectiveness of eclectic method at higher secondary level in rural Bangladesh. IIUC Studies, 17(1), 73–86. https://doi.org/10.3329/iiucs.v17i1.54986
Ali, H. F. M. (2022). An eclectic approach: Enhancing adult learners’ oral fluency in English with special reference to phonological awareness. A case study. Research in Language Teaching, 20(20), 274–311. https://doi.org/10.21608/ssl.2022.144083.1144
Asif, F., & Khan, I. A. (2022). The eclectic approach in teaching English for communication. In: Ali Raza, N., Coombe, C. (eds) English Language Teaching in Pakistan. English Language Teaching: Theory, Research and Pedagogy. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-7826-4_20
Biggs, A., Limtasiri, O., & Watchana, U. (2020). Principled eclecticism: A mix and match solution for rural Thai classrooms? Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, 20(4). https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/pdf/research/journals/apssr/2020-December-vol20-4/9-Principled-Eclecticism-A-Mix-and-Match-Solution-for-Rural-Thai-Classrooms.pdf
Brett, T. (2020). Principled eclecticism in the classroom: Exploring the use of alternative methodologies in ELT. Arab World English Journal(AWEJ). Proceedings of 2nd MEC TESOLConference 2020. 212–228. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/MEC2.15
Brown, H. (2002). English language teaching in the 'post-method' era: toward better diagnosis, treatment, and assessment, in Richards, J. and Renandya, W. (Eds), Methodology in Language Teaching: An Anthology of Current Practice, Cambridge Professional Learning, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 9–18, doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511667190.003.
Chernus, N ., Sivkov, A., Savina,T., Sivkov, S., Zolotovitskaya, A. (2022). The eclectic approach to learning English. Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 8(2), 24-32. Doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.32601/ejal.911599
Dabon, J. O. N., Kerdpol, S., & Inthong, W. (2019). An eclectic method: A Cooperative Task-Based Learning Method in developing students’ English speaking skills at Phitsanulok Pittayakom school. Life Sciences and Environment Journal, 20(2), 268–284. https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/psru/article/view/192506
Dozie, C. P., Regis-Onuoha, A., Madu, L. I., Egwim, F. O., Okere, M. C., & Ihejirika, R. C. (2023). Impact of eclecticism on Nigerian ESL learners' communicative competence: A Comparative Study. European Journal of English Language Teaching, 8(1). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejel.v8i1.4694
Gilliland, B. E., James, R. K., & Bowman, J. T. (1994). Response to the Lazarus and Beutler article 'on technical eclecticism", Journal of Counseling and Development, 72 (5), pp. 554–555. doi: 10.1002/j.1556-6676.1994.tb00991.x.
Hakim, B. M. (2019). Effect of teaching English with the eclectic approach on Saudi Arabian students’ communicative skills. Utopía y praxis latinoamericana: revista internacional de filosofía iberoamericana y teoría social, (6), 285-293. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=7406858
Kiran, U. (2021). Effectiveness of Grammar Translation Method and Communicative Language Teaching approach on students’ achievement in English Grammar. Pakistan Social Sciences Review, 5(III), 235–248. https://doi.org/10.35484/pssr.2021(5-iii)18
Kiswati, K. (2020). Eclectic Method: An alternative to support grammar mastery to twelve graders. JEELL (Journal of English Education, Linguistics and Literature) English Department of STKIP PGRI Jombang, 5(1), 48–57. DOI:10.32682/jeell.v5i1.943
Larsen-Freeman, D. (2000). Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Lin, Y. (2020). Analysis of the teaching methods between Communicative Approach and Task-based Approach. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences. 3(11), 22–27. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2020.031104.
Luo Z. (2023). The Effectiveness of gamified tools for Foreign Language Learning (FLL): A Systematic Review. Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 13(4), 331. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13040331
Mwanza, D. S. (2020). An analysis of teachers classroom application of the eclectic method to English language teaching in multilingual Zambia, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 4 (2), pp. 260–275, http://dspace.unza.zm/handle/123456789/7145
Nikolarea, E. (2020). A description and an implementation of an eclectic approach to ESP and EAP teaching at non-English universities: A Greek case study. The Asian ESP Journal. 16(3). Pp. 116-158. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shirin-Rezaei-5/publication/365777180_The_Asian_ESP_Journal/links/63838a1c48124c2bc6778113/The-Asian-ESP-Journal.pdf#page=116
Nunan, D. (1991). Language Teaching Methodology. Sydney: Prentice Hall.
Puspitasari, D. A. (2019). Exploring English language teaching method of the second grade students at SMA MBS Yogyakarta. Metathesis: Journal of English Language and Literature Teaching, 3(2), 124-134. DOI: 10.31002/metathesis.v3i2.1399
Qin, H. (2019). On “Audio-lingual Method” and “Communicative Language Teaching Method” in foreign language teaching. International Journal of Liberal Arts and Social Science, 7(4), 64–70. https://ijlass.org/on-audio-lingual-method-and-communicative-language-teaching-method-in-foreign-language-teaching/
Rao, S. P. (2018). Eclectic approach in English language teaching: a comprehensive study, ACADEMICIA: An International Multidisciplinary Research Journal, 8(10), p. 40, doi: 10.5958/2249-7137.2018.00055.1.
Sagar, N., & Afzal, T. (2019). English language teaching through an eclectic approach for engineering students. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE), 7(5S4), 755-758. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.ijrte.org/wp-content/uploads/papers/v7i5s4/E11560275S419.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj-jbK6ydv-AhX7ZmwGHdzyBfEQFnoECDIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2UANi7tm-JsUAz1Edm95av
Sarifa, N. (2020). Enhancing EFL learners’ English proficiency and intelligence by implementing the eclectic method of language teaching. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ), 11. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol11no1.9
Sooria, M., & Prabu, S. (2023). Exploring the significance of Eclectic Approach: Perspectives, difficulties and development of effective speaking skills among the undergraduate learners in Kerala. Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences, 10(4S). 1975-1989. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17762/sfs.v10i4S.1423
Summa, S. A. (2021). Application and justification of eclectic approach (an innovative teaching style) for ELT practitioners in both private and public universities in Bangladesh. International Journal of English Language Studies, 3(1), 17–25.DOI: 10.32996/ijels.2021.3.1.3
Ullah, N., Ullah, I., Kaleem, M.(2020). Effects of teaching vocabulary at the elementary level through the eclectic approach. Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research, 3(2), 85–100. https://journals.wumardan.edu.pk/papers/35-49%20Najeebullah.pdf

In-Text Citation: (Ghafar et al., 2023)
To Cite this Article: Ghafar, N. M. H. A., Rahmam, S., & Rahman, S. F. A. (2023). The Efficacy of the Eclectic Approach on Students Language Performance in ESL/EFL Classrooms: An Overview (2019 - 2023). International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(9), 1729 – 1740.