Teaching methodology and approaches
The map
Grammar-translation prizes accuracy and written work, uses the L1 and little speaking. The Direct Method insists on the target language and demonstration. Audiolingualism combines behaviourist drills with contrastive analysis. Humanistic and designer methods include the Silent Way, Suggestopedia, Community Language Learning and Total Physical Response. Communicative Language Teaching foregrounds meaning-focused interaction, information gaps and fluency. Task-based learning runs task, then language focus. Also know CLIL, the lexical approach, PPP, ARC, Test-Teach-Test, Dogme and flipped learning.
Distinctions to hold
Presentation versus discovery; inductive versus deductive; accuracy versus fluency; focus on form versus focus on forms; teacher talking time versus student talking time; teacher-centred versus learner-centred.
Traps
CLT does not ban grammar. TBLT is not PPP reordered: the task comes first and language work responds to need. 'Communicative' means purposeful meaning-focused interaction, not merely oral work. Do not attribute methods to the wrong originator.
Rule of thumb
Choose the shape from the aim. If learners need to use language for a purpose, start with a task and draw language from it. If a structure is genuinely new and opaque, a short presentation with checking questions may be the efficient route. Then ask: does every stage serve the aim?