Question

Which is wrong about Grammar Translation Method of teaching

• A. Accuracy is given great importance
• B. Grammar is taught prescriptively
• C. Practice is provided through translation exercises
• D. Appropriacy of language use is emphasized

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Grammar is taught prescriptively

Grammar Translation Method (GTM) in Language Teaching

• The Grammar Translation Method is one of the oldest and most traditional methods for teaching foreign languages.
• Focus: Primarily on reading and writing skills, with less emphasis on speaking and listening.
• Grammar Instruction: Grammar rules are explicitly taught (deductively) and memorized. Students learn grammatical concepts through rules and then apply them to translate sentences.
• Vocabulary: Taught through bilingual word lists and memorization.
• Translation: The core activity. Sentences and texts are translated from the target language to the mother tongue and vice versa.
• Role of Native Language: The mother tongue is extensively used as the medium of instruction and for explanations of grammar and vocabulary.
• Error Correction: Errors are seen as unacceptable and are corrected immediately.
• Historical Context: Dominant in the 19th and early 20th centuries, often used for teaching classical languages like Latin and Greek.
• Criticism:
  • Neglects communicative competence and fluency.
  • Leads to students who can translate but cannot speak or understand spoken language.
  • Often tedious and demotivating for students.
• Exam Relevance: Questions often test understanding of its characteristics, its contrast with other methods (like Direct Method or Communicative Language Teaching), and its limitations. Be aware of how GTM views grammar acquisition (explicit rule learning) versus other methods (implicit acquisition through use).