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The Grammar-Translation Method
Chapter Two
1. Background
2. Theoretical Basis
3. Basic Principles
4. Summary and Comments
5. suggestions
6. Discussion
Questions
1. What is the Grammar Translation Method? 2. Why is it called the classical method? 3. How did it come into being? 4. What are its theoretical basis? 5. What are its main features? 6. What are its classroom teaching techniques? 6. What are its classroom teaching procedures?
The Grammar-Translation Method is a method of foreign or second language teaching that uses translation and grammar study as the main teaching and learning activities. At one time it was called Classical Method since it was first used in the teaching of the classical languages of Latin and Greek.
1. Background
Grammar analysis and translation were the basic
procedures in foreign language teaching from
16th century.
Latin was a language of spoken and written
communication in the Western world, and was
the world’s most widely studied foreign
language.
The purpose of learning Latin was to study
classical culture and to train the mind by logical
analysis of the classical language. People made a
study of language in order to understand the
classic works of ancient times and in order to be
able to teach students, enabling them to
understand and appreciate those classic works.
In 18th century, modern languages were taught
using the same procedures.
Grammar-Translation Method came into being in
the 18th century.
In the 19th century, more experts of foreign
language teaching adopted the strategy of
combining grammar rules with translation.
2. Theoretical Basis
1) Theory of language( 1 ) All languages originate from one
language and are governed by a common grammar.
( 2 ) Written form of the language is superior to the spoken form.
( 3 ) Students’ first language is the reference system in the learning of the target language.
( 4 ) Understanding and memorizing grammatical rules of languages help to develop mentally.
( 5 ) Latin grammar is the most logical and well-organized grammar.
( 6 ) Language was a body of knowledge to be learned.
( 7 ) The emphasis is an intellectual development( 智力发展) .
2) Theory of learning
The mind of human beings has various faculties
that can be trained separately. The theory of
learning underlying the Grammar-Translation
Method was Faculty Psychology ( 官 能 心 理学) .
3. Basic Principles
1) Main features
( 1 ) As its name suggests, the Grammar-
Translation Method emphasized the teaching of
the second language grammar.
( 2 ) Grammar is regarded as the core of
language, so it is the main content in foreign
language classroom.
( 3 ) The process of learning grammar is an
important means of training mental abilities.
( 4 ) Language materials are arranged
according to grammar.
( 5 ) Analysis, explanation, translation are
main teaching activities.
( 6 ) The major practice is translating from
and into the target language.
( 7 ) The focus is reading and writing.
( 8 ) First language is the medium of instruction.
( 9 ) Sentence is the basic unit of language
teaching and learning.
( 10 ) Accuracy is emphasized.
2) Objectives
The objectives of language teaching are enabling students:
to read and translate literature;
to understand the target language;
to develop their minds;
to gain a better understanding of the first language.
3) Techniques
( 1 ) Reading passages mainly from literary
works
( 2 ) Translation
( 3 ) Deductive teaching of grammar (Grammar
rules are taught directly by the teacher, with
exception to each rule noted. Then the rules are
practiced through translation exercises.)
( 4 ) Analysis and comparison
( 5 ) Memorization
( 6 ) Comprehension questions to check reading
( 7 ) Fill-in-blanks
( 8 ) Sentence making
( 9 ) Composition
4) Procedures
Phase one
Explanation of new words and expressions
Teaching of new structures
Phase two
Students’ translation of the text
Teacher’s analysis of the text
Answering possible questions from students
Phase three
Working out answers to comprehension questions
Written work
4. Summary and Comments Advantages:
( 1 ) The first language is maintained as the
reference system in the learning of the second
language.
( 2 ) Systematic study of grammatical rules plays
an important role in fostering students’ ability of
reading comprehension and producing
grammatically correct sentences.
( 3 ) The focus on understanding culture
provides the situation in which reading and writing
abilities are well trained.
( 4 ) It is relatively easy to apply.
Disadvantages:
( 1 ) Overemphasis on translation
( 2 ) Dependence on first language
( 3 ) Too much emphasis on reading and writing , Listening and speaking neglected
( 4 ) Not meeting the communicative needs of
the students
( 5 ) Rote-learning (机械学习) / Memorizing
grammar rules and bilingual word lists does not
motivate students to actively communicate in the
target language.
5. Suggestion
Backward
Limited use for Listening & Speaking.
Controlled use for reading & writing.
Limited use for grammar, vocabulary.
Limited use for junior grades
Controlled use for senior grades.
6. Discussion
Your own opinion and judgment of the
Method
What is the focus of a Grammar-Translation
classroom?