The labyrinth model of ELT

A modern classroom, unlike a traditional classroom, is a dynamic learning zone where the teacher and the learner exchange knowledge and skills in a holistic way to discover the spirit of knowing the unknown. In the process the teacher shares and exhibits his/her knowledge and skills in an explicit way to learners and receives knowledge and skills in an implicit way from the learners. The current generation of students are highly adaptable to technology and related aspects where the teacher has equal scope to learn even from an ordinary student. In this context, modern teachers' odyssey into the realm of language teaching is compared to the journey of man in a labyrinth. The following model elucidates the modern teaching and learning processes in a new dimension.

The labyrinth model of ELT

The word labyrinth by definition is a complex structure with confusing set of connecting paths in which it is easy to get lost. According to ancient Greek mythology, the word labyrinth (Greek word- labyrinthos), is a complex structure constructed by the legendary artist and skilful craftsman 'Daedalus'. According to the model, each block represents an issue in the teaching-learning process. The below issues were identified through this model and further they are classified into four categories namely TCI (Teacher Centred Issues), LCI (Learner Centred Issues), SCI (System Centred Issues) and TEGL (Teaching English as a Global Language)

The above identified issues are not only the hindrances or blocks for the budding teachers but also for the experienced teachers. The mentioned issues are the most prominent among many other related issues that are not mentioned and considered. The issues keep on changing with time, place and other factors.

According to the model of ELT, unlike the Greek Legend, the centre of labyrinth is a sacred place where the best and great teachers reach with their knowledge and wisdom. It is a salvation point that every teacher aspires to reach in the realm of teaching and learning process. Unlike the (above mentioned) Greek legend of labyrinth the deadly monster, Minotaur, does not lie at the centre of labyrinth. But each block (teaching–learning issues mentioned above under the categories: TCI, LCI, SCI & issues related to TEGL) is considered a deadly beast (Minotaur) that kills the spirit of a teacher and the blocks do not allow reaching the centre-the holy destination of a teacher.

The teachers' job is to break every block in his way with his intellectual, social, cultural, technical, philosophical, psychological, and humanitarian approaches. In this imaginary path of labyrinth, many a teacher travels without fixing the blocks or breaking the blocks and such teachers remain as ordinary teachers. These ordinary teachers take a U-turn without at least attempting to break the blocks (solve the issues). They generally give up and get lost in the complex structure (learning and teaching) of labyrinth. They remain less competent, insincere and irresponsible. They always escape from everyday classroom challenges. They can simply manage the classroom. Therefore, they cannot justify their profession.

On the other hand, average teachers have required ability to deal the subject but they are very poor motivators; they fail in their endeavours as they themselves suffer from some unconscious syndrome (inbuilt psychological blocks of fear, low self-esteem and other mental issues). As a result they stay insecure and never boldly express their views before students, colleagues and management. Therefore, they remain poor motivators and minus motivation a language teacher has least to do in the present digital world where knowledge is better accessed by students than teachers.

Only the best and great teachers reach the centre of labyrinth fixing all the blocks in their way. The kind of teachers are highly inspiring with unique traits such as competence, character, courage, compassion, love, patience, perseverance, purity, spontaneity and great passion for learning and teaching etc. The best teachers are continuous learners and they remain students forever. The best teachers learn (implicitly) from students in the process of teaching. Despite all odds, the best teachers fight for what is right and strive for a better future of learning and teaching community.

The Greek hero, 'Theseus', battled against all the foes to bring a social order. Similarly, the modern (English) teacher should not escape from the issues but he ought to have character, competence and courage to resolve them. Even though a teacher fails in the attempt of fixing the issues he would certainly derive satisfaction from his/her sincere efforts to improve teaching and learning process and such teachers are considered as good teachers.

Further, the theory states that a teacher just like the Greek hero, 'Theseus', should fight with the demons on his way (fix the issues) and reach the centre of labyrinth (live in the hearts of students).

The labyrinth of ELT/ teaching

Although the teaching profession is complex in nature there are possible ways to enjoy and cherish every moment in the profession. The following picture shows the clear path of labyrinth after resolving all the blocks (issues) in the way to reach the centre.

A clear path of labyrinth after fixing the blocks

The modern (English) Teacher has challenges at every phase of his journey in the labyrinth of teaching and learning process. It is most essential to be aware of the (realise the issues) the issues in the job and he/she should have considerable expertise in fixing all the (blocks in labyrinth) issues in his way.

The best possible way for (English) teachers to reach the centre in the proposed labyrinth model of ELT is to follow the below Ten Commandments and they are brief statements meant for sincere practise (by all teachers) in the Odyssey of Teaching and Learning process. The Ten Commandments are given to make the path straight and clear. The Ten Commandments are the solutions of the unseen blocks in the imaginary labyrinth of the teaching and learning process. 'We' represents every teacher in the teaching community. Therefore, (the present study on behalf of teaching community) teaching community offers Ten Commandments for themselves.