TIẾNG ANH CHUYÊN NGÀNH The grammar translation method

The Grammar-Translation Method


1. Objectives of the teachers
A

fundamental purpose of learning a
foreign language  to be able to read
literature in the target language (L2).
 To master language forms (or to learn
about the grammar rules &
vocabulary of L2)


2. Teacher’s and learners’ role
TEACHER’S ROLE
The strict
authority in the
classroom
(very traditional role)

LEARNERS’ROLE
The passive
receivers of the
new information


3. Role of Ss’ native language (L1)
 L1

has an important role in teaching

grammar & vocabulary.

 All

of the instructions in class are
given in L1.


4. How vocabulary is taught
 The most common technique:

memorization of long lists of vocabulary
with their equivalents in Ss’ L1
 Other techniques: using synonym &
antonym and cognates (having the same
origin as another word or language)


5. How grammar is taught
 Ss study grammar deductively; i.e. they

are given the grammar rules & are told
to memorize them, and then are asked to
apply the rules to other examples.
 Grammar rules are explicitly taught &
translation is the common way to clarify
the meaning of grammar patterns in L2.


6. Language skills/areas

 Reading & Writing primary skills
 Speaking & Listening: less attention
 Pronunciation: little attention
 Vocabulary & Grammar: emphasized


7. Materials & Syllabus
 Materials: Texts from the target

language literature, teacher’s own
text or authentic literary text
 Syllabus: structural syllabus (i.e. list
of structures taught during the
course- starting from the easiest
ones)


8. Teaching techniques
 Translation

of a literary passage
 Reading comprehension questions
 Antonym/synonym/cognates
 Deductive application of rules
 Fill-in-the-blanks
 Memorization
 Use words in sentences & composition


9. Error correction

 Errors

are not tolerated & strictly
corrected by the teacher.
 If Ss do not know an answer, the
teacher supplies them with the correct
answer.
 Accuracy= grammatical correctness
emphasized


10. Interactions
 Teacher

Students: very often

 Students

Students: rarely


DISCUSSION
Work in group of 4 to discuss the answers to the following
questions:

1. What are some advantages &
disadvantages of the Grammar Translation
Method? Use specific examples to support
your answers.
2. In spite of its drawbacks, some teachers in

high schools in Viet Nam still use this
method. Why?
3. Suppose you are teaching a group of adult
learners who are employees, can you apply
this method? Explain your answer.