what are the features of grammar translation method

Characteristics of the Grammar Translation Method

• 1. Focuses on Reading and Writing The primary focus of GTM is on reading and writing with little or no systematic attention to listening and speaking. ...
• 2. Uses Vocabulary Words ...
• 3. Uses the Sentence as the Basic Unit of Teaching ...
• 4. Adopts a Deductive Approach ...
• 5. New Terms are Explained in the Native Language ...
• 6. Emphasizes Accuracy ...

Full Answer

What are the methods of grammar translation method?

Grammar–translation classes are usually conducted in the students' native language. Grammatical rules are learned deductively; students learn grammar rules by rote, and then practice the rules by doing grammar drills and translating sentences to and from the target language.

What are the characteristics of direct method and grammar translation method?

In Grammar translation method (GTM) the teaching unit is the words. But in the direct method, the teaching of English starts with the teaching of of sentences and not the individual words.

What are the main features of direct method?

Characteristic features of the direct method are: teaching concepts and vocabulary through pantomiming, real-life objects and other visual materials. teaching grammar by using an inductive approach (i.e. having learners find out rules through the presentation of adequate linguistic forms in the target language)

What are the advantages of grammar translation method?

Merits of Grammar Translation Method It makes the concept more clear and new words, phrases, and vocabulary is introduced. Learning gets easy as the conduction is done in the native language. It promotes the skills of reading and writing effectively.

What are the five characteristics to measure communicative grammar?

Rea Dickins says that in order for a test to measure communicative grammar it must have five characteristics....Areas Constituting Grammar in Language Testing:Sentence structure.Using and identifying parts of speech.Punctuation.Spelling.Capitalization.Tenses.Agreement.Clauses.More items...•

What are the characteristics of a good translation translator?

8 Traits of a Great TranslatorLinguistic Expertise. ... Appreciation for Other Cultures. ... Awareness of the Evolution of Language. ... Area of Specialization. ... Attention to Detail. ... Ability to Accept Criticism. ... Time Management Skills. ... Passion for Language.

What is DM and GTM?

GTM aims to teach the literature of target language and improve knowledge of mother tongue, DM aims to teach communication in target language GTM makes use of only literary passages, but DM allows the use of passages relating to history, geography, cultures, community etc.

What are the two methods of translation?

What are the main techniques of translation?Borrowing. Borrowing is where words or expressions are taken directly from the source text and carried over into the target language. ... Calque (loan translation) ... Literal Translation.

What is Grammar Translation Method?

The grammar translation method is a language teaching method to learn a foreign language. GTM is derived from the classical/traditional method of teaching Greek and Latin. This method aims at studying and analyzing the grammatical rules of the target language. In this method, a practice of grammatical structures was carried out through the means of translating both into and from the mother tongue. The GTM is totally based on the written word and texts.

What is the main tool of teaching and learning?

The main tool of teaching is grammar and practice is the applicability of learned set rules of grammar.

How does GTM work?

In GTM, there is a typical procedure that presents the rules of a particular grammar item and then to illustrate its use by practicing (including the particular grammar item in a text). And a final practice is carried out by using the item through writing sentences of target language and translating target language into the mother tongue.

What is the weakness of GTM?

The main weakness of GTM lies in its inability on the part of the student to use language for communication. Below are the weak aspects of GTM.

Is vocabulary teaching still popular?

Vocabulary teaching is still popular in modern teaching methods/techniques but its form of teaching is change into presentation of words with pictures of the actual objects in full color instead of a dry word list. The positive edge of Grammar Translation Method is that it can be applied to a whole array of contexts and situations.

Is grammar translation method still popular?

It has been rejected as a legitimate language teaching method by modern scholars like Bahlsen, Plötz and many others. Grammar Translation Method is still very popular in third world countries like India, Pakistan, and in some African countries. Moreover, it has no advocates. It is a method for which there is no theory.

Characteristics of GTM:-

It helps to learn a foreign language and its correct sentence structure.

The procedure of Grammar Translate Method –

In the first step, a paragraph is read by a teacher, and some difficult words are marked out of it.

Merits of Grammar Translation Method

It makes the concept more clear and new words, phrases, and vocabulary is introduced.

Demerits of Grammar Translation Method

One of the major disadvantages of GTM is that it restricts the skills of speaking and listening to a foreign language.

Techniques of GTM

The teacher gives the exercises of some sentences or passages where some blanks will be there and students are asked to fill that missing words as per their own knowledge of translation or vocabulary of the foreign language.

Criticisms

GTM is not away from criticisms too. Many authors and literary heads have condemned this approach as they believed that, this method just facilitates reading and writing skills but does not focus on conversational skills.

Conclusion

GTM is nothing but a method of teaching any foreign language in its simplest way. It is one of the oldest methods used since ages to teach Latin or Greek languages and now, modern languages too. English as a foreign language can be easily learned with this method.

What is grammar translation?

231) have defined the grammar-translation method as “a method of foreign or second language teaching which makes use of translation and grammar study as the main teaching and learning activities.” The grammar-translation method was originally called the classical method because it was mainly used in the teaching of Latin and Greek in the 16th century. In the early 19th century, which saw the decline of Latin and its relegation to an academic language, the grammar-translation method was adopted to help L2 learners to read, study, and translate foreign languages and language literature. Two of the key assumptions of this methodology were that:

What are the principles of grammar translation?

According to the grammar-translation method, the learning and teaching of languages consist of the following principles: Teachers must assert their authority, as their role is to transmit knowledge to learners and the learner’s native language is the medium for instruction. Very little teaching is done in the target language.

How are grammar rules presented?

Grammatical rules are presented by teachers using paradigms and examples. Learners are asked to learn rules and apply them through translation exercises. Sentences are the main unit of the teaching session and learners are asked to translate them into and out of the target language. 4. Fill in the blanks exercises.

Why was grammar translation used in the 19th century?

In the early 19th century, which saw the decline of Latin and its relegation to an academic language, the grammar-translation method was adopted to help L2 learners to read, study, and translate foreign languages and language literature. Two of the key assumptions of this methodology were that:

How is grammar taught?

The grammar is taught systematically (following a sequencing grammar syllabus) through explicit extensive and elaborated teaching of grammatical rules. The main assumption is that a second language is learned through the deduction of the grammatical properties of a target L2. When learners have developed a conscious and explicit representation of that language, they can apply this ability in the production of sentences through translation from one language to the other.

How to learn a language?

1. Read and translate a literary passage. Learners are asked to translate a literary pas-sage and then translate (mainly written translation) the target language into their native language. The passage provides the stimulus for learning vocabulary and grammar.

What are the four language skills that are taught in grammar translation?

It seemed that for this methodology there is no need for learners to master the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing ).The grammar-translation method was questioned by researchers and language educators in the mid-19th century.

What are the characteristics of grammar translation?

Characteristics of the Grammar Translation Method. 1. Focuses on Reading and Writing. 2. Uses Vocabulary Words. 3. Uses the Sentence as the Basic Unit of Teaching. 4. Adopts a Deductive Approach.

What is the goal of grammar translation?

The goals of the Grammar Translation Method (GTM) are: To enable the students to: memorize grammar rules and vocabulary of the target language. The target language is a foreign language which a person intends to learn. GTM emphasizes reading and writing.

How to teach grammar in English?

With the goals and characteristics of the GTM, the following activities can be done in the classroom: 1 Ask the students to take 5 vocabulary words from their favorite song and then translate it into English. 2 In teaching a particular lesson in grammar, ask the students to memorize the rules, and they should give their sentences as samples. 3 Ask the students to take down their friends’ conversations in their native language and then translate it into English. 4 Ask students to write 10 verbs from the article assigned to them, and then they should give the synonyms and antonyms. 5 Ask students to memorize at least 5 words per day in English and give their native language equivalent.

How do teachers teach vocabulary words?

Vocabulary words are chosen from the reading text used. Teachers teach vocabulary words through memorization, bilingual word list, and dictionary. 3. Uses the Sentence as the Basic Unit of Teaching. The basic unit of teaching and language practice is the sentence. Most of the lesson is in sentence translation from and into the target language.

Why are new grammatical or vocabulary items explained in the target language?

New grammatical or vocabulary items in the target language are explained in students’ native language to compare the target language and the students’ native language.

What is the primary focus of GTM?

The primary focus of GTM is on reading and writing with little or no systematic attention to listening and speaking. Here is an excellent tip by OnTESOL on how to read with comprehension. OnTESOL tips on how to teach reading skills with comprehension, among others. 2.

Why do teachers disagree with using native language?

Some school administrators or teachers may disagree with the idea of using the native language in explaining vocabulary words or grammar rules because they want the students to be exposed only to the target language to acquire and master it effectively.

What is grammar translation method?

In Grammar-Translation Method, the first language is maintained as the reference system in the learning of the second language.#N#The focus on understanding literary texts provides the situation in which reading and writing abilities are well trained.

Can overemphasis on translation emancipate the learners from dependence on the first language?

Overemphasis on translation can never emancipate the learners from dependence on the first language .#N#Memorizing grammar rules and bilingual word lists does not motivate students to actively communicate in the target language.