1. Grammar-Translation Method (GTM)

Focus: Reading & writing, grammar rules, translation.

Goal: Learn a foreign language to read literature or for intellectual development.

Teacher role: Authority, explains rules in L1.

Student role: Passive receiver, memorizes grammar and vocab.

Techniques:

• Translating sentences or texts L2 → L1 or L1 → L2
• Memorizing grammar rules and word lists
• Reading literary texts
• Using L1 heavily

Weakness: No speaking or listening practice, communication ignored.

• fundamental purpose of learning a language is to be able to read literature written in the target language
• Roles are traditional. Teacher is the authority in the classroom. Students do as the the teachers says so they can learn what teacher knows
• Students are taught to translate one language to another. They study grammar and they are given the grammar rules and examples. The also learn grammatical paradigms like verb conjugations. They memorize native equivalent vocabulary words.
• Teacher to student interaction. some student to student interaction
• Literary language is superior to spoken language . Culture is viewed as consisting of literature and fine arts
• Vocabulary and grammar are emphasized. Reading and writing are the primary skills , less speaking and listening
• If students make errors or do not know the answer the teacher is there to supply the correct answer
• Translation of a Literary Passage
  • Students translate target-language texts into L1.
  • Focus on grammar and vocabulary from the passage.
  • Idioms translated for meaning, not word-for-word.