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Grammar Translation & Direct Methods

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Grammar Translation & Direct Methods

Uploaded by

qubatihanan1
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Firat University

Department Of
Western Languages
and Literatures

Grammar Translation Method and Direct


Method
Hanan Mohammed Ali AbdulRab

Foreign Language Teaching Methods

Döç. Dr. Seçil Akyıldız

25, October, 2024


Approach, Method, and Technique

Language teaching is sometimes discussed in terms of three related aspects:


approach, method, and technique.

 Approach to teaching refers to the conceptual principles, views or


assumptions that underpin the way one teaches (Thamarana, 2015).
 Method, in language teaching, is a way of teaching a language which is based
on systematic principles and procedures.
 Technique, in teaching, is a specific procedure for carrying out a teaching
activity, such as the ways a teacher corrects students’ errors or sets up group
of activities (Thamarana, 2015)
According to Asher and James (1982), “Methods are the combination of
techniques that are used by the teachers in the classrooms to teach their students
and approaches are the philosophies of teachers about language teaching that can
be applied in the classrooms by using different techniques of language
teaching.”(Ghosh, 2020).

Examples of different approaches are the communicative approach, the cognitive


approach, etc. Examples of different methods which are based on a particular
approach are the grammar translation method, the direct method, etc. Examples of
techniques used in particular methods are drills, dialogues, role-plays, etc.

In the following lines, I will refer to two primary methods for teaching English:
Grammar translation method and Direct method.
Introduction
Grammar Translation Method or Direct Method?

As teachers of English language, we need a knowledge of how to teach by


principles.

English teachers can benefit from the variety of teaching methods.

They have to look at the merits rather than the flaws of each approach.

Teachers must learn to decide which method to utilize based on the


demographics of their class to ensure that everyone gets the most out of their time
in the classroom and beyond.

Choosing one method or another also depends on the language skill that the
teacher is required to teach.
Grammar Translation Method

Background

•It is also known as the Classical Method.

•It is a traditional teaching technique that was used to teach Latin and Greek.

•Latin and Greek were taught more as academic subjects rather than a means
of oral communication.

•It was particularly in vogue during the 16th Century.


Grammar Translation Method

Characteristics

The philosophy behind this method is that foreign language is better taught or
learned through translating written texts.

Each phrase or sentence is taught by translating it into the mother tongue.

The focus at this time is on the direct translation of vocabulary to memorize, and
grammar rules and their application.

It prioritizes a deductive approach, where reading and writing skills are
predominantly strengthened.
Grammar Translation Method

 It focuses on the accuracy of grammar and translation.

 The purpose of this method is to learn a language from an intellectual or


linguistic perspective, not as a means of oral communication.
Direct Method

Background

•It is also called: the natural method, the reform method, the anti-grammatical
method, and the Berlitz method.

•It was developed by Maximilian Berlitz towards the end of the 19th century as a
reaction to the Grammar Translation Method.

•At this time teachers were starting to experiment with teaching and educational
models as previous techniques were failing to improve spoken communication.

•It puts more emphasis on the teaching of morality and culture.


Direct Method

Characteristics
Lessons are in the target language.
The teacher is expected to directly use the target language in class, and students are directly involved when
speaking and listening to the foreign language.

The syllabus is based on situations or topics, not usually on linguistic structures (Contextual/Topical Teaching).

Rather than memorizing word lists, vocabulary is acquired more naturally in full sentences.
Direct Method

Vocabulary is taught through known words, demonstration, authentic objects


(realia), pictures, and miming.

Grammar is taught inductively through speaking (functional grammar).

This method focuses on listening and speaking skills.

Oral communication skills are built up in a careful grade.

A particular attention is placed on the accuracy of pronunciation, with spontaneous


use of the language.
Grammar Translation Method vs Direct Method

A Comparison between Grammar Translation Method and Direct Method


No Principles Grammar Translation Direct Method
Method
1 Teacher goal Reading comprehension Oral communication

2 Teacher and Students Teacher’s role is traditional, Teacher and students are a
Roles and students are passive. partner (teacher asks questions
and encourages students to
participate, and students are
active).
3 Language Area Vocabulary and Grammar Spoken Language

4 Techniques Used translating, reading visual-aided activities, making


comprehension, memorizing conversations, role-plays,
words, synonym and antonym reading aloud and direct
exercise, and fill in the blank questions and answers, self-
exercise. correction, and fill in the blank

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