A Tentative Study on the Relevance of Progressivism to ELT: Perspective of Learner-centredness

For the sake of its inseparability to the science of language, English language teaching(ELT) tends to be researched,despite diverse voices within its domain, from the perspective of linguistics. It is noticeable, however, that ELT in this research conducted is literally referred to as an educational conception, though pertinent linguistics knowledge is to be inevitably involved. Given this situation, ELT is categorised as an intra-discipline of education, establishing the basic ground of the academic enquiries throughout the context. Relevant issues are to be further examined concerning to what extent learner-centredness manifests its definition within modern pedagogical approaches and methods of ELT, so as to indicate the philosophical significance of education in language teaching. A critical insight is to be given into the limitations of learner- centredness in ELT practice through two case studies thereafter, which is expected to benefit the development of ELT professionalism in the changing practice of language education.