2. The Grammar-Translation Method
“A method of foreign or second
language teaching which makes
use of translation and grammar
study as the main teaching and
learning activities."
3. Background
Traditional method of second language
teaching in schools
Most common language teaching method
Stressed the literacy development
Teacher centered
4. Introduction
Original purposes
Helping students read and appreciate
foreign language literature
Students can become more familiar
with the grammar of their native
language also write and speak their
native language better
Helpful for mental exercise
5. Key Features
Classes are taught in the mother tongue, with
little active use of the target language.
Much vocabulary is taught in the form of lists
of isolated words.
Long elaborate explanations of the intricacies
of grammar are given.
Grammar provides the rules for putting words
together, and instruction often focuses on the
form and inflection of words.
6. Reading of difficult classical texts is begun
early.
Little attention is paid to the content of texts,
which are treated as exercises in grammatical
analysis.
Often the only drills are exercises in translating
disconnected sentences from the target
language into the mother tongue.
7. Advantages
Focusing the translation of Vocabularies-beginners
Good for mental exercises.
Easiest for teachers to use
Does not require teachers to speak good English or
make good lesson preparations.
Only uses the textbook
Least stressful for students-teaching occurs in the first
language
Students learn the new language without contact with
native speakers.
8. Disadvantages
Students lack comprehension-only
translating word-for-word
Does not allow students to create meaning in
English
Students do not learn to read.
Extensive memorization
Very little student/teacher and
student/student interaction
9. Conclusion
Teaching involves any instructional technique
that draws learners' attention to some
specific grammatical form in such a way that
it helps them either to understand it
metalinguistically and/or process it in
comprehension and/or production so that
they can internalize it.
