GRAMMAR TRANSLATION METHOD

HISTORY :

- The grammar translation method began in Prussia at the end of 18th centuries .
- it also known as the Classical Method , this is a traditional teaching technique that
was used to teach dead languages such as Greek and Latin.

- In the 19th century it began to be used to teach "modern " languages such as
French , German amd English .

- The aim of this method was enable the learners to read literary classics and to benefit
from the mental discipline and intellectual development that results from foreign language
study .

DEFINITION :

- A method of foreign or second language teaching which makes us of translation and

grammar study as the main teaching and learning activities .

- The method requires the students to translate text word for word , and memorize
grammatical rules and exception as well as vocabulary list .

OBJECTIVES OF GRAMMATICAL TRANSLATION METHOD :

1. To be able to read literature written in target language .

2 . To be able to translate from one language to another .

3. To develop reading and writing skills .

CHARACTERISTICS :

1. Students are taught in their mother tongue , with littlr active use of the target language .

2. Vocabulary is taught in the form of isolated words .

3. Elaborate explanations of grammar are always provided .

4. Grammar instructions provides the rules of putting words together , instruction focuses
on the form and inflection of words .

5 . Little attention is paid to the content of texts .

6 . Drills are exercises in translating disconnected sentences from the target language into
the mother tongue and vice versa.

☆ ADVANTAGES ☆

1. IT is an easy method .

2. It helps in building vocabulary .

3. It saves teacher labor.

4 . Comprehension is easily .

5 . Grammar is easily taught .

☆ DISADVANTAGES ☆

1. It is unnatural method .

2 . It neglects speech .

3. It neglects pattern practice .

4 . It ignores habit information .

5 . Exact translation is not possible .

6 . Idiomatic expressions are difficult to translate .

7 . It teaches English by rules .

8 . It makes the student a passive listener .

9 .It is uninteresting .
CONCLUSIONS:

☆ GTM was frequently used at the beginning of the 20th century but today ,
many thinks that it is unnatural method .

☆ The natural order of learning a language is listening, speaking , reading

and writing . That is the way how the child learns his mother tongue in
natural surroundings . But in GTM the teaching of the 2nd language start
with reading and writing .

Prepared by : Sarah Jean Borjal

BSED 3 - English