1/19/24

Grammar Translation Method

Prepared by: Vinos Sabir

Background Information

— This method is an extension of the approach used to teach

classical languages such as Latin and Greek to the teaching of
modern languages.

— It is a way of studying a language that approaches a language

that first gives detailed analysis of its grammar and then
followed by translating sentences and texts into and out of the
target language.

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Background Information
— Grammar Translation Method (GTM) was known in as
Traditional method.
— It was widely used between the years (1840-1940). And,
in modified form, it continues to be used widely in some
parts of the world today.
— The supporters of this method believed that through
using target language’s grammar, students become more
familiar with their L1 grammar and be able to write and
speak in their L1 better.

Principles of G.T.M.
— Instruction is given in L1 and little use of L2.
— Focus is on grammar and grammar is taught deductively. (Grammar
rule is first written and explained and then examples are given by the
teacher and then students).
— Typical exercise is to translate pieces of literature.
— The teacher does not have to be able to speak the target language.
— It focuses on reading &writing, and overlooks (ignores) speaking &
listening (accuracy has priority over fluency).
— Accuracy is emphasized. Learners are expected to attain high
standards in translation.
— The ability to communicate in the target language is not a goal in this
method.
— Students should be conscious of the grammatical rules of the target
language.

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Techniques:
— Students translate literary reading passages from L1 to
L2.
— Students answer reading comprehension questions in
the target language based on their understanding of the
text.
— Students are given a set of words and asked to identify
their synonyms/antonyms in the reading passage.

Techniques:
— Students are taught to recognize COGNATES (words in
two languages that have similar meanings, spelling and
pronunciation, e.g. family-familia, centre-centro in
Spanish)..
— The students use a new vocabulary item to make up
sentences.
— Students are given lists of L2 vocabulary with their
equivalents in their mother tongue to memorize

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Goal of G.T.M.
— To enable the students to read the
literature written in the target
language (T.L.).
— To do this, students need to learn the
grammatical rules and vocabulary of
the target language aiming that they
can improve their knowledge about
L1’s grammar.
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Teacher and Student Roles:

— The role is very traditional in GTM. The
teacher is the authority in the classroom.
His/her commands should be followed by
the students without negotiation.

— The students are obedient listeners of their

teacher’s commands. They should fulfill
them appropriately.

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Other Important Questions:

— How are the feelings of the students dealt with?
There are no principles of this method related to this.

— What is the role of the students’ native language?

The students’ native language is mostly used in the class.

— How is evaluation accomplished?

Students have written tests, asking them to translate texts from L1 to
L2 and vice versa. Also question about L2 grammar rules and L2
culture are common.

— How does the teacher respond to errors?

Having the students to answer correctly is very important. If the
students do not know the answer, the teacher supplies the correct
answer.
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Any Questions?

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