ENGLISH IN THE 21ST CENTURY: PERSPECTIVES AND EFFECTIVE METHODS OF TEACHING

Abstract

English has become a global language connecting people from diverse backgrounds, creating a growing demand for effective teaching methods. Its role as a lingua franca requires regular updating approaches to learning/teaching this language in a globalised society. This paper reviews ten major approaches to language teaching, highlighting their historical roots and pedagogical value. Emphasizing creativity, learner engagement, and evidence-based practice, it argues that no single method is universally best. Instead, effective teaching requires adapting strategies to learners’ needs and contexts. The aim is to inspire educators to refine and innovate their English language teaching practices. The status of English as a global lingua franca requires updating approaches to teaching. There are a lot of effective methods of teaching English. The paper specifies such methods as: Grammar-cum-Translation Method, The Direct Method, The Audio-Lingual Method, Suggestopedia, The Silent Way, Total Physical Response, Community Language Learning, The Natural approach, Task-based language teaching (TBLT), Communicative Language Teaching, Lexical Approach, Cooperative Language Learning (CLL). The article discusses the key points of Еnglish teaching methods relevant for effective teaching practice, such as evaluating student requirements, interactive learning, responsive teaching, technology utilization, continuous assessment. The research also reveals such benefits of English learning as multinational communication, academic improvement and learning, work opportunities, availability of information and resources, cultural interaction and self-development. The article concludes that teaching English in the 21st century should focus on learners’ needs rather than rigid curricula. In today’s digital age, educators must go beyond information delivery and foster deeper understanding through innovative methods. Approaches like CLT, TBLT, and CLIL work across languages, emphasizing real communication and context. Though each language has unique features, effective teaching principles remain universally adaptable.