The Grammar

Translation Method

Approach or
Method?
A method
An overall plan for the

orderly.
presentation of language.
Several strategies.
Follows some pedagogy.
Procedural /steps.

An approach
One of many strategies.
Focused on one subject area.
It describes the nature of the subject matter to be

taught.
Within an approach there can be many methods.

The Classical
Method:
First used in the teaching

of the classical languages:

Latin and Greek.
From the 1840s to the
1940s and is still used today.

Goals:
To read literature in its

original form.
Logical thinking.
To approach the language
first by analyzing the
grammar rules and
applying these rules to the
task of translating sentences.
To be able to read and write.

Positive traits:
For left-brained students who respond well to

rules, structure and correction, the grammartranslation method can provide a challenging
and even intriguing classroom environment.
Easily explained.
Even teachers who are not fluent can teach it.

Drawback
s:
No context difficulties relating to the

language.
There is much less attention given to
speaking
listening and pronunciation.
Nowhere to produce their own sentences.
Language is seen as a collection of words.
The type of error correction can actually be
harmful to the students' learning process.
If failed, students motivation goes down .

Characteristics of
teaching and
learning process:
Vocabulary and grammar

are
emphasized.
Focus on learning grammar
rules
( deductively ).
Vocabulary lists.
Memorize vocabulary L1 =
L2.

Teachers Goals:
That students are able to read literature in the

target language.
Students need to learn grammar
rules and vocabulary.
Provides students good
mental exercise.

Teachers and
Students Roles:
The teacher is the authority in the classroom.
Students do what teacher says.
Students are passive.

Teacher-Student
Interaction:
Teacher student interaction

( mostly ).
Students initiation

is little.
Little student-student

interaction.

Culture View:
Literary language is considered

superior than spoken language.

Culture is viewed as consisting

of literature and fine arts of L2.

Emphasis of
Language Skills:
Reading and

writing.
Little attention to
listening,
speaking
and
pronunciation.
Language
areas:

Role of L1:
Classroom language is L1.
Meaning of L2 is made clear by

translation into L1.

Evaluati
on:
Written tests ( students translate

from L1 to L2 or L2 to L1 ).
Questions about

L2 culture and
about applying
grammar rules.

Teachers
Response to
Students Errors:
Incorrect answers are

corrected
by the teacher
immediately.
Focus on accuracy.

Techniques:
Translation of a literary passage

from L2 to L1 or vice versa.

Questions.
Cognates.
Antonyms-synonyms.
Vocabulary memorization.
Grammar rules are given with examples.
They use the words ( in sentences ) to show they
understand
the meaning.
Writing compositions about a topic in target language.

Why is it still used?

This method requires few specialized skills on

the part of teachers.

Grammar rules and translation tests are easy
to construct and can be objectively scored.

Exercise:
the woman= la donna
the man= luomo
the child = il bambino

beautiful= bella
strong = forte
little = piccolo

Where is the woman? = Dove la

donna?
Where is the man? =
Translate these sentences:
La donna bella.
The man is strong.
Il bambino piccolo.

Exercise:
Whats your name? = Come ti chiami?
My name is = il mio nome .
Whats your telephone number?
Qual il tuo numero di telefono?

Students have learned the

language well if they can
translate sentences or
passages well.