GRAMMAR TRANSLATION METHOD

Grammar–translation method is a method of teaching foreign languages derived from the classical
(sometimes called traditional) method of teaching Ancient Greek and Latin. In grammar–translation
classes, students learn grammatical rules and then apply those rules by translating sentences
between the target language and the native language. It originated from the practice of teaching
Latin; in the early 16th century, students learned Latin for communication, but after the language
died out it was studied purely as an academic discipline. When teachers started teaching other
foreign languages in the 19th century, they used the same translation-based approach as had been
used for teaching Latin. The method has been criticized for its shortcomings.

PURPOSE OF GTM

 One is to develop students' reading ability to a level where they can read literature in the
target language
 The other is to develop students' general mental discipline.

CHARACTERISTIC OF GTM

 Classes are taught in the mother tongue

 Much vocabulary is taught in the form of lists of isolated words
 Long elaborate explanations of the intricacies of grammar are given
 Grammar provides the rules for putting words together

OBJECTIVES OF GTM

 To be able to read and understand literature written in the target language

 To be able to translate from one language to another
 To develop reading and writing skills
 To make students aware of their native language structure and vocabulary
 And to improve students' mental capacities with grammar exercise

TECHNIQUES

The teaching techniques in the grammar-translation method are as follows-

(1) Translation: Translating the target language, usually a literary passage to the native language.

(2) Reading comprehension: Finding information in a passage, making inferences, and relating to

personal experience.

(3) Antonyms/synonyms: finding antonyms and synonyms or words or sets of words.

(4) Cognates: learning spelling/sound patterns that correspond between L 1 and the target

language.

(5) Deductive applications of rules: understanding grammar rules and their exceptions, and then

applying them to new examples.

(6) Fill in the blanks: Fill in gaps in sentences with new words or items of a particular

grammar type.

(7) Memorization: memorizing vocabulary lists, grammatical rules, and grammatical paradigms.
(8) Vocabulary practice: students create sentences to illustrate e them to know the meaning and use

of new words.

(9) Composition: students write about a topic using the target language.