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.
2
The disadvantages of Grammar Translation Method
a.
Learner Motivation and Participation
The GTM approach involves no learner participation and little teacher- students relationship. Students are required to learn from a textbook and
use the same method throughout their learning. Because lessons using GTM are not interactive and engaging for students, they become more
likely to lose interest in their subject and less motivated to learn. Furthermore, the method does not require students to participate in any
activities or communicate with each other, so they will not learn how to use language in a real-life conversation or situation and will only know
how to translate one language to another. b.
Unnatural and inaccurate pronunciation
As children, people generally learn how to speak before they learn how to write and read. In the GTM approach, this natural learning method is
reversed. Students are only taught how to read and write the language. This can affect how they learn to speak the learned language. The mere
application of grammar and sentence structure cannot adequately prepare them for realistic conversations or verbal communications, as no emphasis
is given to spoken language in the GTM approach.
3. Teaching Recount Text Using Grammar Translation Method
Teaching using grammar translation method used teacher as a center in teaching-learning
process. In teaching reading, teacher used students’ native language as a main communication. Teacher also emphasized that reading and writing is a
major focus in learning. In the class, teacher must explain all material to the students and students must listen to what teacher said. After teacher explained the materials,
teacher gives them chance to ask about the material. Then, teacher gives them task to do. Teacher doesn’t give students chance to discuss the material with their friends,
everything they don’t understand they must ask directly to the teacher and teacher will explain to them.
In Grammar Translation Method, understanding about grammar is much stressed. Grammar is also taught deductively. That’s mean the teacher explain the
