Three of the earliest teaching methods were the Grammar-Translation Method, the Direct Method, and the Audio-lingual Method. Discuss these three methods. Also, explain their shortcomings which led to more current approaches in the teaching of grammar to L2 speakers.
1. i) Grammar Translation Method (GTM): Grammar-translation method is the extension of the Classical method which began in Germany (Prussia) in the late 18th century. It was then become popular in the early 19th century. It is one of the earliest teaching methods and was considered as the first institutionalized and the oldest method of language teaching. This is because; GTM was an adopted language teaching method in various schools. In the book, “The Empirical Evidence
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By the time GTM was used in normal schools, a new form of method has been developed focusing on the speaking skills. It was then used widely in the private schools, particularly at the Berlitz schools.
2. i) Berlitz or Direct Method: Berlitz or Direct method was first introduced in the 19th century which attempt to build a methodology around observation of child language learning. This method has emphasized more on speaking and listening and uses little emphasize on grammar. This method was developed as a response to the Grammar-Translation method. It required immersing learners the same way L1 is learnt. L2 is used in teaching while grammar is taught inductively. There is a focus on speaking and listening, and only useful ‘everyday' language is taught. Major techniques such as the questioning technique were used to elicit student oral production as well as an importance on the ‘here and now’. Moreover, Direct method is the secondary role of grammar. This is because; grammar is deemphasized in speech as it is a direct effect of these techniques. The development of phonetic and phonology somehow has given Direct method an advantage during that time. However, the way teachers’ teach is more important rather than any scientific rationale about this method. ii) Shortcomings of Direct Method: There are many critics regarding this method. First of all, many abstract words cannot be interpreted directly in English
Many popular theories of second language acquisition have been analyzed throughout history. The socialization of L2 learners, their present emotional state that is present at time of acquisition, as well as the comprehensible input and output with the use of scaffolding play a major role in second language acquisition. Let us also not forget the importance of written expression as well as reading comprehension with these L2 learners. Each play a role in language development. However, I believe that in acquiring a language, one must use a variety of techniques that work together to create a balance within the learning environment. Furthermore, all L2 learners learn differently and so a variety of resources will need to be used based on the ability of each student. There are many theories that have been developed by highly qualified experts in the field on linguistics. However, I will address those areas that I agree with as I present my personal theories on second language acquisition.
2. How does task-based learning differ from grammar-based one in terms of improving students’ language proficiency (speaking, listening, writing, reading, use of language) ?
The teaching of a productive skill, like speaking, is a vital part of any language education. Approaches to teach speaking have been changed noticeably during the time. The behaviorist approach, which is a traditional way of teaching, includes drilling, memorizing, answering and not questioning, checking and not correcting, individual learning, teachers are the sources and producers of knowledge, students are the recipients, and leaving no place for much thinking and understanding [1]. The Presentation, Practice, Production (PPP) is an approach based on behaviorist teaching [2, 3]. The PPP approach focused on accurate use of the grammatical forms taught at the Presentation stage. But very few students who finished their English courses were able to use their English to communicate adequately with others.
There are plenty of teaching methods that are used to teach a language, they developed over the years and centuries, in this essay two well-known teaching methods will be discussed, their principles, their advantages, and their drawbacks, these methods are Grammar Translation Method and The Direct Method.
Children acquire language since they were born. They communicate with their parents. Furthermore, children and parents interact with each other using a language that we often call the first language or mother tongue. At an early age, children are only learning one language that is the mother tongue. By age and speech development, children improve to acquire a second language from the school or the environment around them. In terms of speed of langgauge acquisition, children are factorized by both the child and the child’s learning environment. Therefore, it is important to understand how children acquire second language. This paper is provided
ungrammatical sequences is one way of defining grammar” (Yule, 2010). Grammar is the backbone of any language, it gives a structure to the language and it is like the railway the learners can convey their ideas to the full extension, it has a positive impact on the four language skills either productive skills (speaking and writing) or receptive skills (listening and reading).
As one of the most important part in English language, grammar gets attention from many teachers around the world. Many researchers have even debated about almost every single thing of it. Meanwhile, for the learners, learning grammar often means they have to learn the rules and patterns of grammar and also have an intellectual knowledge of grammar. Many teachers believe that learning grammar intensively can help the learners build their knowledge, so that they will be able to use the language eventually. Unfortunately, in terms of learners’ success with languages, grammar has been seen to be a quite huge problem. The English grammar acquisition does not come naturally. The learners have to go to school to learn it, dig it deeper, and know every part of it in order to be able to use it well. Many learners have difficulty doing so, few retain the knowledge for long, and hardly anyone finds it very exciting. (Tabbert, 1984: p. 39). Thus, it can be said that by identifying such
It is not uncommon to say that grammar instruction plays an important role in language teaching. Regarding the status and importance of grammar teaching, a variety of opinions have been made. Batstone (1994) states that “language without grammar would be chaotic: countless words without the indispensable guidelines for how they can be ordered and modified” (p. 4). More vividly, Wang (2010) makes two similes. She compares grammar to the frame of a house, which is a decisive factor to ensure the solidness of it. Additionally, she regards grammar as a walking stick, whose function is to help and support students to learn English. Thus, the nature of grammar instruction manifests its own significance as it helps students
Larsen-Freeman (2001) as cited in Mart (2013), describes grammar as a system of meaningful structures and patterns that are governed by particular pragmatic constraints. This clearly indicates that grammar plays a crucial role in learning the target language. Grammar instruction is one of the most difficult issues that people have encountered in language learning and teaching. Therefore, the best way to overcome this issue is by
In the long history of language learning, especially in the case of learning English as L2, educationalists have been tirelessly trying to explore more and more practical approaches that ranged from conventional methods like Grammar translation method, Direct method, Situational Language Teaching etc., to the latest mode of communicative approach. The conventional teaching methods - the unsuccessful result of the earlier language theories, were proved to be ineffective, because it was felt in all the methods, that the learners were passive and the teaching-learning process was mechanical. Hence during the 1960s, a new trend of language teaching called Communicative Language Teaching paved its way into classrooms in the early 1960’s and has
Grammar has always been an important issue in second and foreign language learning and teaching. Some hold the view that grammar is not essential for second/foreign language learning and therefore have a ‘zero position’ regarding grammar teaching. On the other hand, some view that grammar is necessary for second/foreign language learning.
I started learning English as a second language when I was in first intermediate. I still remember my first classes and my first teachers. I remember that my teachers changed frequently in the first year but all of them have much in common. All of them used grammar translation method. They used to write bilingual lists of words on board, then we, as students, were asked to copy these lists and memorize them by heart. All teaching concentrated on reading and writing skills, but there were no activities concentrating on speaking or listening. In addition, grammar rules were taught in that stage of learning the language as mathematics equations, and we were asked to memorize the rules as we
This paper believes that every approach has strengths and weaknesses. Hence, choosing an appropriate method depends on the level of the students or the purpose of the course. As an English teacher, I am convinced that we should comprehend both advantages and disadvantages of each method. Thence, we try to maximize the strengths and minimize the weaknesses. Finally, the chosen method must achieve the objective of the course and meet the demand of the learners. That is my own philosophy of
Effective language learning is the necessity of time. No matter in which discipline you are or what field of occupation you have effective language is a vital goal to success, which cannot be ignored. There are several standards, which determine the criteria for effective language and the learning processes. However, determining a standard is the first and foremost element in this regard. Language teaching and language learning are two entirely different fields, which have their
Translation is a process to translate word or text from one language to another. It transfers information to another person by written text which has purpose to transfer the idea in communication. Translation form is focused on written text such as text book, journal, poem, story and other as a part of communication and transfer of knowledge on the printing form. All of recent information such as scientific improvement, political issue, entertainment and news transferred from source language to the target language. It exchanges information and knowledge from one country to another. The improvement of country depends on the information. This is the effect of our incomplete and limited source book, text and journal which very important to our daily need in education Eventhough, the translation is very important and gives beneficial to improvement of education.