D. Grammar Translation Method
1. Definition of Grammar Translation Method
The Grammar Translation Method is a method of teaching foreign languages derived from the classical method of teaching language. In grammar-
translation classes, students learn grammatical rules and then apply those rules by translating sentences between the target language and the native language.
Advanced students may be required to translate whole texts word-for-word. The method has two main goals: to enable students to read and translate literature written
in the target language, and to further students’ general intellectual development. In this modern era, there are various methods that can be applied by the
teacher in the classroom in teaching language. But in practically, there are some teachers that still use the grammar translation method in their teaching. As stated by
Cagri quoted form Larsen- Freeman that “the purpose of the grammar translation
method was to help students read and understand foreign language liter ature”.
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It was also can be said that grammar translation method gives an efficient way in
learning vocabulary and grammatical structures. There are two main goals to grammar-translation classes. One is to develop
students’ reading ability to a level where they can read literature in the target language.
The other is to develop students’ general mental discipline. Furthermore, Richard and Rodgers explain the principal characteristic of the Grammar Translation
Method as follow: a.
The goal of foreign language is to learn a language in order to read its literature or in order to benefit from the mental discipline and intellectual
development that result from foreign language study.
b. Reading and Writing is a major study; no systematic attention is paid to
speaking or listening.
c.
Vocabulary selection is based solely on the reading texts used.
d.
The sentence is the basic unit of teaching and language practice.
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Cagri Tugrul Mart, Journal of Advances in English Language Teaching Department of Languages, Ishik University,Erbil, Iraq, the Grammar Translation Method and Use of Translation in
Facilitate Learning in ES: Classes, Volume 1, No.4, 2013, p.103-105
e.
Accuracy is emphasized.
f. Grammar is taught deductively. That’s by presentation and study of grammar
rules, which are then practiced through translation exercises.
g. The students of native language are the medium of instruction.
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2. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Grammar Translation Method
Like the other method, grammar translation method has also many advantaged and disadvantages. Those are as follows:
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1
The Advantages of Grammar Translation Method
a.
Reduced Teacher Stress.
Resources for GTMs are easier to come by then other approaches and generally require less teacher involvement. Class activities or learning
games are rarely necessary, as students are translating the text to another language directly, teachers who are not fluent in English but fluent in the
other language that the students primarily use can teach English using this approach, as the emphasis is not on the spoken word but on
translation. b.
Focus in Grammar, sentence structure and word meanings
Unlike a verbal approach to language learning, GTM focuses on the application of grammar and correct sentence structure. This is especially
helpful in teaching students how to write and read in another language, allowing them to explore interchangeable words and phrases more
effectively than a verbal teaching method. The approach is also easily applied and can be less stressful on students; verbal teaching methods do
not describe the application of grammar and sentence structure as effectively as GTM does.
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Jack C. Richards and Theodore S. Rodgers, Approach and Methods in Language Teaching Second Edition, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007, p. 3-4.
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Victoria Gorski, Advantages and Disadvantages of GTM in TEFL, 2014, http:www.ehow.cominfo_8059435_advantages-disadvantages-gtm-tefl.html.
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