are based on various items covering the grammar of the target language. The method emphasizes the study of grammar through deduction that is through the
study of the rules of grammar. A contrastive study of the target language with the mother tongue gives a view into the structure not only of the foreign language but
also of the mother tongue.
Classes are taught in the students mother tongue, with little active use of the target language. Vocabulary is taught in the form of isolated word lists.
Explanations of grammar are always provided. Grammar instruction provides the rules for putting words together; instruction often focuses on the form and
inflection of words. Reading of difficult texts is begun early in the course of study. Little attention is paid to the content of texts, which are treated as exercises
in grammatical analysis. Often the only drills are exercises in translating disconnected sentences from the target language into the mother tongue, and vice
versa. Little or no attention is given to pronunciation.
From the explanation above, the writer interprets the Grammar Translation method as a traditional method that emphasizes in writing and reading skill. The
translation to mother tongue is needed to support language teaching and learning. Learning literary is main focus in this method.
6. The Theories Underlying Grammar Translation Method
Generally speaking, the Grammar-Translation Method belonged to the school of traditional linguistics.
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Traditional linguists believed that the written form of language was superior to the spoken form. they gave priority to the written form
and took words as their starting point. When discussing the rules of language, traditional linguists usually took a prescriptive approach. Traditional linguists
emphasized correctness, the purity of a language, literary excellence and the use of Latin models.
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Article “Grammar Translation method” assessed at 10 June 2007 http:blog.hjenglish. comcxchunarchive 20051006146389.html
The theory of language underlying the Grammar-Translation Method was derived from Comparative Historical Linguistics.
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The result of comparison between different languages indicated that the classical languages such as Greek
and Latin were very much similar to the modern Indo-European languages. In the Grammar-Translation Method, Comparative Historical Linguistics believed that
all languages were from one language and were ruled by a common grammar. In foreign language teaching, the target language was primarily interpreted as a
system of rules to be observed in texts and sentences and to be related to the first language rules and meanings.
In the Grammar-Translation Method, the students’ first language was maintained as the reference system in the acquisition of the target language.
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The theory of learning underlying the Grammar-Translation Method was Faculty Psychology.
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The Faculty Psychologists believed that the mind of human beings had various faculties which could be trained separately. According
to the Faculty psychologists, understanding and memorization of grammatical rules which are complicated are very important to develop students mental. The
Grammar-Translation Method was an expression of classical humanism. The language was regarded as a body of esteemed knowledge to be learned with an
emphasis on intellectual rigor. There are three theories can be concluded in Grammar Translation method.
The written form is superior in Grammar Translation method, the system of rules to be observed in texts and sentences and to be related to the first language rules
and meanings is emphasized in this method and the last is understanding and memorization of grammatical rules which are complicated are very important.
7. The Principles of Grammar Translation Method
