DEDUCTIVE AND INDUCTIVE REASONING
Deductive reasoning is essentially a top-down approach which moves from the
more general to the more specific. In other words, we start with a general
notion or theory, which we then narrow down to specific hypotheses, which
are then tested. Inductive reasoning is more of a bottom-up approach, moving
from the more specific to the more general, in which we make specific
observations, detect patterns, formulate hypotheses and draw conclusions.
DEDUCTIVE AND INDUCTIVE GRAMMAR LEARNING
These two approaches have been applied to grammar teaching and learning. A
deductive approach involves the learners being given a general rule, which is
then applied to specific language examples and honed through practice
exercises. An inductive approach involves the learners detecting, or noticing,
patterns and working out a ‘rule’ for themselves before they practice the
language.
A deductive approach (rule-driven) starts with the presentation of a rule and is
followed by examples in which the rule is applied.
An inductive approach (rule-discovery) starts with some examples from which
a rule is inferred – thornbury, 1999
UNDERSTANDING INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE APPROACHES
IN TESOL
As an instructor in teaching English to speakers of other languages
(TESOL,it’s vital that some of your training focus on different approaches to
effective teaching in the English language classroom. The inductive approach
and deductive approach in TESOL are two common methods for teaching
English grammar. In the western world, deductive teaching approaches are
common in classrooms where English is the first language. There are benefits
to both approaches, though they are quite different.
INDUCTIVE
The inductive teaching approach in TESOL is a sort of discovery learning that
focuses on the student. For example, an instructor might use or show a few
examples of a grammar point in English and then ask students what they
notice. In many cases, the grammar point might be introduced by simply
engaging the students in a directed conversation to slowly introduce it. The
teacher guides the students to noticing the grammar pattern, and finally
explicitly exposes them to it.
Example
A teacher writes on the board a few examples of simple present and simple
past sentences. The teacher then asks the students what differences they notice
in the sentences. The students discuss the differences and maybe even try
converting some simple sentences from present to past on their own. Finally,
the teacher explains the rule for converting sentences from past to present.
Benefits
Although inductive teaching takes longer than deductive, many educators
agree it is a very efficient method in the long run. Benefits include:
➢ Student interaction and participation.
➢ Students rely on their critical thinking to figure out the language.
➢ Students gain deeper understanding of the language.
DEDUCTIVE
A deductive approach is more teacher-centered learning where the points of
English grammar are explicitly stated to the students and then tested. Once the
grammar is introduced and explained, students usually complete grammar
exercises to become familiar with the pattern. This is a method that has been
commonly used in English classrooms in the west.
Example
A teacher writes examples of simple present and simple past sentences on the
board. The teacher then proceeds to explain the differences between present
and past in English. Once the lecture is complete, worksheets are handed out
and students are asked to convert simple sentences from present to past.
Benefits
Although a little less effective than inductive teaching when used in TESOL,
benefits to the deductive approach are:
➢ Time in the classroom is spent only on the language principle.
➢ Most material can be easily taught this way.
➢ It encourages faster learning of material
There are clear differences to the inductive approach and deductive approach
in TESOL. Inductive tends to be more efficient in the long run, but deductive
is less time consuming. Much depends on the teacher and the students. You
might try and compare both of these approaches at certain points in your
teaching to see which is more effective for your students.
EXERCISES: Differences between deductive and inductive approach;
concepts and benefits
