Aims and Objectives in ELT

 

Here are ten differences between aims and objectives in the context of English language teaching (ELT), with examples:

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1. Definition

• Aim: A broad, general statement of what is intended to be achieved in the long term.
• Example: To help students achieve fluency in spoken English.
• Objective: A specific, measurable outcome that contributes to achieving the aim.
• Example: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to use five new expressions for making polite requests in conversation.

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2. Scope

• Aim: Covers the overarching purpose of the course or program.
• Example: To improve students' overall communication skills in English.
• Objective: Focuses on a narrow, precise aspect of learning.
• Example: To teach students how to use past tense verbs correctly in written sentences.

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3. Time Frame

• Aim: Long-term and often extends over a course or semester.
• Example: To prepare students for the IELTS exam.
• Objective: Short-term, usually specific to a single lesson or unit.
• Example: To enable students to write a 250-word essay under timed conditions.

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4. Measurability

• Aim: Difficult to measure directly; qualitative in nature.
• Example: To develop students' confidence in speaking English.
• Objective: Easily measurable through assessments or observations.
• Example: Students will correctly answer 8 out of 10 comprehension questions based on a given text.

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5. Focus

• Aim: Centers on the "why" of teaching.
• Example: To foster a love for reading English literature.
• Objective: Centers on the "what" and "how" of teaching.
• Example: To teach students to identify themes in a short story.

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6. Audience Understanding

• Aim: Broad and may be harder for students to relate to directly.
• Example: To enhance intercultural communication skills through English.
• Objective: Concrete and easily understood by students.
• Example: To practice using modal verbs for expressing obligation in role-play scenarios.

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7. Flexibility

• Aim: Open-ended and adaptable to different contexts.
• Example: To improve students’ English proficiency for academic purposes.
• Objective: Rigid and specific, guiding the activities within the lesson.
• Example: Students will practice summarizing a paragraph in their own words.

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8. Alignment

• Aim: Aligns with institutional or program goals.
• Example: To equip students with skills for global communication in English.
• Objective: Aligns with lesson plans and specific activities.
• Example: To teach students to differentiate between formal and informal expressions in emails.

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9. Evaluation

• Aim: Evaluated indirectly, often through general observations or surveys.
• Example: Assessing students' overall confidence in public speaking.
• Objective: Evaluated directly through tasks or tests.
• Example: Conducting a quiz on synonyms and antonyms.

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10. Relation to Teaching Methods

• Aim: Influences the selection of overarching teaching methods and approaches.
• Example: Incorporating communicative language teaching to enhance fluency.
• Objective: Guides the design of specific lesson activities.
• Example: Planning a group discussion to practice using idiomatic expressions.

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Summary

Aims focus on broader, long-term intentions, while objectives break these down into smaller, actionable, and measurable steps. In ELT, both are essential for structured and effective teaching.