Transcript Unit 2

Unit 2
Grammar-translation Method
Pre-task
1. How does the method get the name?
2. Why is the method also called the
classical method?
3. What are the classical languages?
4. What are the goals of using the
method?
5. What skills are emphasized?
Origin
• In the Western world, foreign language learning
in schools was synonymous with the learning of
Greek or Latin. Latin was thought to promote
intellectuality through mental gymnastics
(exercise) and was taught by “the Classical
Method,” whose focus was on grammatical
rules, memorization of vocabulary and
translation of texts, and doing written exercises.
Little thought was given at the time to teaching
oral use of language and foreign languages
were taught as any other skill.
• This approach became the GrammarTranslation Method late in the 19th century.
Goals
• it helps students read and appreciate foreign
language literature;
• through the deductive study of the grammar
of the target language, students would
become more familiar with the grammar of
their native language;
• that will help them grow
intellectually ;(mental-discipline theory)
• reading and writing are the major focus;
• accuracy is emphasized
Curriculum Design
•
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teacher’s role: teacher-centered
learner’s role: passive
L1’s role: dominant
Classroom interaction: teacher-student
interaction
• Activity design and evaluation: early reading
of difficult classical texts, translation, rote
memory (p.19) of lists of isolated words;
classroom quizzes and formal written tests
Advantages
• reading training and easily constructed
tests of grammar and translations which
can be graded objectively
• few specialized skills required on the
teacher
Disadvantages
• an inability of students to use L2 for
communication
• tedious approach
• no theory/rationale to support it in terms
of linguistics, psychology or educational
theory
• little attention to the content of texts
After-task
• Do you think the method is out of date?
• What kind of students suits the method?
• Is it still used in Taiwan? Why or why
not?