The Grammar-
Translation Method
PRINCIPLES AND
TECHNIQUES
IN LANGUAGE TEACHING
Ten Important Questions: Qualifying Criteria
Learning Goals?
Role of the teacher?
Characteristics of teaching/learning process?
Nature of teacher/learner, learner/learner
interaction?
Dealing with affective factor? (feelings of learners)
Questions Continued……
Connection b/w language and culture?
Which areas of language/skills are emphasized?
Role of L1? (L1 influence)
Method for evaluation?
Teacher’s response to student errors?
GRAMMAR TRANSLATION METHOD
“Some Facts”
”To know everything about something rather than
the thing itself” (W.H.D Rouse)
Dominated from 1840’s to 1940’s.
Propaganda against it was initiated by the group in
favor of German and French (non-classical
languages)
GT was first known in the U.S as Prussian Method,
alternatively called The Classical Method due to its
connection with classical Languages.
PRINCIPLES OF GTM
Reading : Literary language > Spoken language
Translate: 2nd Important goal of learning
Instructions in L1: Oral proficiency not the goal
Written answers: Develop Reading and Writing
Role of teacher: Authoritative, students remain
Passive.
Principles Continued…….
L2 regresses to L1: Use of supplementary words
from L1
Similarities b/w L1 & L2: Matching structures in L1/L2
Grammar rules : Form of the target lang. is Important
Applying lang. rules on examples: Deductive/Explicit
approach
Memorization: Language learning is a mental exercise,
(memorizing vocab/grammatical rules)
TECHNIQUES
Translation Fill In The Blanks
Reading Comprehension Memorization
Antonyms/Synonyms Use words in Sentences
Cognates Composition
Deductive Application of
Rule
THE DIRECT METHOD
Came up as a reaction to GTM.
Goal is to enable learners to communicate in L2.
Opposition to translation is a primary rule.
PRINCIPLES OF DIRECT METHOD
Reading: Speaking > Writing
Visual Aid: Use of Charts/Pictures/ … Realia
Instructions in L2: use of L1 is avoided
Demonstrate : use of blackboard/ examples for
answering queries
Thinking in L2: Students answer using L2 only
Purpose of Learning: Communication in target lang
Pronunciation: Emphasis on pronunciation
Principles Continued…….
Error Correction: Self-correction facilitated
Type of activities: Conversational (teacher/student,
Student/student i-e contextual use)
Grammar teaching: Strictly Inductive (implicit)
Writing: Important, Developed from beginning
Syllabus type: Situational, not linguistically oriented
Culture: culture associated with L2 also taught
TECHNIQUES
Reading aloud Fill in the blank
exercises
Question & answer Dictation
exercise
Facilitating Self- Map Drawing
Correction
Conversation Practice Paragraph Writing
