GRAMMAR TRANSLATION METHOD

A.          Definition

The Grammar Translation Method is the oldest method in the world of pedagogy. The grammar-translation method is a method of teaching foreign languages derived from the classical (sometimes called traditional) method of teaching Greek and Latin.

The Grammar Translation Method (GTM) used in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) focuses on reading and writing. Language is taught through translation methods, contrasting and comparing the native tongue to the learned language. GTM focuses on sentence structure, grammar, vocabulary and direct translations of the native language to English. The method requires few resources to teach, normally just the use of textbooks or translated passages.

There is not usually any listening or speaking practice, and very little attention is placed on pronunciation or any communicative aspects of the language. The skill exercised is reading, and then only in the context of translation.

The grammar-translation method was the standard way languages were taught in schools from the 17th to the 19th century. The grammar-translation method is still in use today in hybrid forms in many different countries, including many parts of India.

B.          The Principles of Grammar Translation Method

The salient principles of grammar translation method are as under:

1.       The Grammar Translation Method is simply a combination of the activities of grammar and translation (Mackey).

2.       The first language is maintained as the reference system in the acquisition of the second language (Stern).

3.       Students are taught in the mother tongue with little active use of the target language. It starts with the learning of vocabulary consisting of single words with the word-for-word translation. This expands into phrases and then into sentences. As every word, phrase and sentence is translated, it is expected that the learner will assimilate the target language through the mother-tongue.(Wyatt)

4.       Much vocabulary is taught in the form of lists of isolated words.

5.       The linguistic material is graded on a grammatical plan and it is assumed that the learner will learn the target language quickly by a comparative study of the grammar of the mother- tongue and that of the target language.

6.       Grammar is taught deductively; that is, by the presentation of rules and definitions which are practiced through translation exercises. It is taught in an organized and systematic way with the help of a grammar book.

7.       Vocabulary is selected mainly from textbooks and words are taught through bilingual word lists, dictionary study and memorization.

8.       Reading of difficult texts is begun early and the selection or reading material is made from both the classical and modern literature.

9.       Accuracy is emphasized. Students are expected to attain high standards in translation from foreign language into the mother tongue and vice versa.

10.    Reading and writing are the major focus.

11.    The emphasis is laid on reading literature of a foreign language in order to get the cultural awareness of the foreign people and learning mental discipline which comes through the study of its grammar.

In grammar-translation classes, students learn grammatical rules and then apply those rules by translating sentences between the target language and their native language. Advanced students may be required to translate whole texts word-for-word. The method has two main goals:

a.            to enable students to read and translate literature written in the target language,

b.           to further students’ general intellectual development.

C. Advantage And Disadvantage

v Advantage :

1. Reduced Teacher Stress

Resources for GTMs are easier to come by than other approaches and generally require less teacher involvement. Class activities or learning games are rarely necessary, as students are translating text to another language directly. Teachers who are not fluent in English (but fluent in the other language that the students primarily use) can teach English using this approach, as the emphasis is not on the spoken word but on translations. Communication between student and teacher is reduced with this method, which avoids misunderstandings and prevents language barriers that may occur in a method that focuses on teacher-student communication or verbal language learning.

2. Focus on Grammar, Sentence Structure and Word Meanings

Unlike a verbal approach to language learning, GTM focuses on the application of grammar and correct sentence structure. This is especially helpful in teaching students how to write and read in another language, allowing them to explore interchangeable words and phrases (i.e., different words for different tenses) more effectively than a verbal teaching method. The approach is also easily applied and can be less stressful on students; verbal teaching methods do not describe the application of grammar and sentence structure as effectively as GTM does. Word meanings are also easily learned through direct translation---a foreign word can be compared to the native language quickly. The method of comparing/translation of the learned language with a native language provides reference for students.

v Disadvantage :

1.     Learner Motivation and Participation

The GTM approach involves no learner participation and little teacher-student relationship. Students are required to learn from a textbook and use the same method throughout their learning. Because lessons using GTM are not interactive and engaging for students, they become more likely to lose interest in their subject and less motivated to learn. Furthermore, the method does not require students to participate in any activities or communicate with each other, so they will not learn how to use the language in a real-life conversation or situation and will only know how to translate one language to another.

 2.     Unnatural and Inaccurate Pronunciation

As children, people generally learn how to speak before they learn how to write and read. In the GTM approach, this natural learning method is reversed. Students are only taught how to read and write the language. This can affect how they learn to speak the learned language. The mere application of grammar and sentence structure cannot adequately prepare them for realistic conversations or verbal communication, as no emphasis is given to spoken language in the GTM approach. Translations may also be inaccurate, as it is not always possible to simply translate one word or phrase accurately to another language (for example, the translation of "computer" in English to Latin is not possible, as there is no Latin word for computer).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammar-translation_method

http://www.ehow.com/info_8059435_advantages-disadvantages-gtm-tefl.html

http://purwarno-linguistics.blogspot.com/2006/01/grammar-translation-method_13.html

http://englishlanguagelearningforum.blogspot.com/2009/03/grammar-translation-method.html