Top down vs bottom up

This British Council event explores top-down and bottom-up processing in English language teaching. Top-down uses background knowledge and context for understanding (general to specific), suitable for intermediate/advanced learners. Bottom-up builds comprehension from individual words and phrases (specific to general), ideal for beginners needing scaffolding. Practical applications include pre-teaching vocabulary and grammar games for bottom-up. For exams, both are vital: top-down for general ideas (skimming) and bottom-up for specific details. Teachers should tailor their approach based on student level and task type, ensuring a mix of strategies to support all learners.