Scribd
Upload
37 views2 pages

Grammar Translation Method

The Grammar Translation Method is an old language teaching method that was originally used to teach Latin and Greek. It focuses on translating texts word-for-word and learning grammar rules and vocabulary lists, with little emphasis on speaking skills. While it allows easy explanation of meanings through translation, it was criticized for not actually teaching language use and for neglecting communication. Later methods like the Direct Method aimed to address these shortcomings.

Uploaded by

Nay Catupecu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
37 views2 pages

Grammar Translation Method

The Grammar Translation Method is an old language teaching method that was originally used to teach Latin and Greek. It focuses on translating texts word-for-word and learning grammar rules and vocabulary lists, with little emphasis on speaking skills. While it allows easy explanation of meanings through translation, it was criticized for not actually teaching language use and for neglecting communication. Later methods like the Direct Method aimed to address these shortcomings.

Uploaded by

Nay Catupecu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Grammar Translation Method

4 April 2009 2 Comments

History

The Grammar Translation Method is an old method which was originally used to teach
dead languages which explains why it focuses mainly on the written form at the expense of
the oral form. It was designed according to the faculty psychology approach which was
very popular during the 18th and 19th century. It contended that ” mental discipline was
essential for strengthening the powers of the mind”. The way to do this was through
learning classical literature of the Greeks and Romans.

Method

 Use of mother tongue.


 Vocabulary items are taught in the form of word lists.
 Elaborate explanations of grammar.
 Focus on the morphology and syntax.
 Reading of difficult texts early in the course.
 Practice focuses on exercises translating sentences or texts from mother tongue to
the target language and vice versa.

It is surprising to see that the Grammar Translation Method was still in use in some
classrooms during the late decades of the 20th century. May be, it’s because it bears some
advantages.

Advantages

 Translation is the easiest and shortest way of explaining meaning of words and
phrases.
 Learners have no difficulties to understand the lesson as it is carried out in the
mother tongue.
 It is a labour saving method as the teacher carries out everything in the mother
tongue.

Criticism

 What the method is good at is “teaching about the language” , not “teaching the
language”.
 Speaking or any kind of spontaneous creative output was missing from the
curriculum.
 Students lacked an active role in the classroom.
 Very little attention is paid to communication.
 Very little attention is paid to content.
 Translation is sometimes misleading.
Because of all these disadvantages, instructors tried to find better ways to remedy the
pitfalls of the grammar translation method. The Direct Method was the answer.

You might also like