The Grammar-Translation Method
The Grammar-Translation Method (GTM) evolved from the Classical Method that was used from the 15th century in the teaching of Latin and Greek — both long-since dead languages. Latin and Greek were taught to promote the intellect and virtually no attempt was made to speak them. GTM, formalized in Germany in the late-18th century, similarly places little or no emphasis on actually speaking or communicating in the target language. Classwork is highly structured, with the teacher controlling all activities. The method focuses on the literature and grammar of the target language, with passages being translated into and from the mother tongue. Consequently it tends to be very much text-based. Typically, the teacher gives instructions and grammatical explanations in the mother tongue. Little or no attempt is made to teach pronunciation.
Typical features of a GTM lesson:
- mother tongue
- teacher-centred
- vocabulary taught through wordlists and translation
- reading of literary passages even at low levels, with reading comprehension questions
- practice based on translation of texts to and from MT
- elaborate presentation of grammar rules
- memorization of grammar rules and vocabulary
- vocabulary exercises include antonyms and synonyms, definitions etc based on words in reading texts
- composition exercises based on topics from reading texts