Audio-Lingual Method

Reporter: Ivy Angel M. Valeros

Proponents: Charles Fries and Robert Lado
Background: The development of the audio-lingual technique was influenced by three crucial
historical events. First, Leonard Bloomfield's technique of memorizing and repetition centered
on this method, and it was the initial step in proposing the ALM.
The second situation occurred when World War II outbreak which urgently required the United
States to produce a group of orally fluent speakers of different languages. The linguist watched
the learning process while the instructor provided a languages source for mimicry.
B.F. Skinner’ behaviorism theory was the third component. In his imitation, repetition, and
positive or negative reinforcement theories for language learning. The main goal of the audio-
lingual method is to teach oral skills with accurate pronunciation, grammar, and the ability to
respond quickly and accurately.
Introduction: Audio-lingual is basically a method of language teaching that focuses on speaking
and listening. As the primary method of language presentation, it makes use of drills and
dialogues.
Discussion: The audio-lingual method is a verbal method for teaching language to pupils. The
audio-lingual approach emphasizes spoken language over students' native tongues in the
classroom. The primary method of teaching languages is through dialogues, with a focus on
specific practice methods including imitation, memorization, and pattern drills.
The teacher's role in the audio-lingual approach is in charge of guiding and managing students'
linguistic behavior. On the other hand, it is the responsibility of the pupils to follow the teacher's
instructions and react as correctly as quickly as they can. Better pronunciation and better
involvement as a result of the drilling activities are the benefits of this. However, some felt that
the approach had a weakness: It placed too much focus on the teacher, who was only able to
discuss the basic aspects of language.
In using the audio-lingual method in the classroom, every phrase of the dialog would be first
read out by the teacher or presented with a recording. Students read the dialogue aloud in chorus,
repeating each phrase over and over until they remember that this activity is based on the
dialogue. This other activity allows pupils to change the dialogue without changing the
grammatical structure by using substitution drills. For example, I draw a rainbow, is a dialogue
statement that the teacher delivers. She then provides a prompt by mentioning clouds or by
flashing a cloud-related image. I draw clouds, should be the students' response. An option for
different alternatives that the teachers may use to expand pupils' vocabulary is the audio-lingual
method. This can assist pupils in developing their vocabularies in English-language content.
Strategies:
First, it focuses on practical pronunciation. Because the audio-lingual technique is focused on
language structure, the sounds of language are automatically considered to be crucial foundations
to produce words, that is, meaningful sequences of sounds. Regardless quantity of sounds the
language you teach uses, you must first know what they are, how they are formed, and how they
interact together to form phrases.
Second, engage structural drilling exercises. Since drilling is a valid and helpful method for
building strength and agility, you might wish to refer to this exercise as sentence practice. For
instance:
Teacher: I eat apple every day. She.
Students: She eats apple every day.
Teacher: She eats apple every day. They.
Students: They eat apple every day.
Third, is to employ dialogue practice, dialogue is the exchange of information among a group of
people. It is also a strategy for language production, from sound to phrase. Daily conversations
are most likely the most well-known relics of the original audio-lingual method. For example:
Buyer: Good morning.
Vendor: Hello.
Buyer: How much are the bananas?
Vendor: 70 pesos per kilo.
Buyer: Oh! That’s cheap! I’ll take two kilos.
Vendor: Good. That will be 210 pesos.
Buyer: Here you are.
Vendor:  And here’s your change. Thank you.
Buyer: Thank you!
Vendor: Goodbye.
Buyer: Goodbye.