26
2 In this method, there is over emphasis on oral work. Reading and writing process of the language get less attention.
3 This method, cannot be used successfully for the average and the below average students.
4 It is an expensive method because the teacher has to use some aids for teaching.
5 This method does not lay emphasis on the selection and gradation of language material which is very important.
6 At the early stages, sometimes this method may fail miserably. Another is simply addressed by Neena Dash and M. Dash, there are
38
: 1 The direct method promotes the oral aspect of language learning.
Reading and writing are neglected. 2 This is a difficult method of teaching and learning English. Only the
clever student and the intelligent teacher can gain by this method. 3 There are certain words which cannot be taught by this method. Words
such as honesty, integrity, truth, tremble; faints, etc. can best be explained translation method than the direct method.
4 Even if all words can be explained by the direct method it will be lengthy and time taking.
5 This method discards the teaching of formal grammar. But grammar is an essential branch of language learning and this cannot be overlooked.
C. Grammar Translation Method
1. Understanding Grammar Translation Method
The grammar translation method is not new. It has had different names, but it has been used by language teachers for many years. At one time it was called
classical method since it was first used in teaching of the classical language, Latin and Greek Chastain 1988. Earlier in this century, this method was used for the
purpose of helping students read and appreciate foreign language literature. It was also hoped that, through the study of the grammar of the target language, students
385
Dash, Op.Cit.. p. 58.
27
would became more familiar with the grammar of their native language and this familiarity would help them speak and write their native language better. Finally,
it was thought that foreign language learning would help students grow intellectually; it was recognized that students would probably never use the target
language, but the mental exercise of learning it would be beneficial anyway. Grammar Translation Method is a way of studying a language that
approaches the language first through detailed analysis of its grammar rules, followed by application of this knowledge to the task of translating sentences and
texts into and out of the target language
23
. Typically, grammar translation methods did exactly what they said. Students
were given explanations of individual points of grammar, and then they were given sentences which exemplified these points. These sentences had to be
translated from the target language L
2
back to students’ first language L
1
and vice versa.
24
In grammar translation method, the students are given detailed explanation about the grammatical pattern in their native language. Then, the sentences in
their language were translated into the target language. One of the problems with Grammar Translation Method was that is focused
on the ability to analyze language, and not the ability to use it. In addition, the emphasis on reading and writing did little to promote an ability to communicate
orally in the target language.
25
23
Jack C. Richard Theodore S. Rogers. Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching, a Description and Analysis. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2001, p. 5.
24
Jeremy Harmer, The Practice of English Language Teaching. England: Pearson Education, 4
th
ed, 2007, p.63
25
Norbert Schmitt, Vocabulary in Language Teaching,…..p. 12
28
2. Characteristics of Grammar Translation Method
There are some principles were described by Richards and Rogers of Grammar Translation Method are:
1 The goal of foreign language study 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,
2 Reading and writing are the major focus; little or no systematic attention is
paid to speaking or listening. 3
Vocabulary selection is based solely on the reading texts used, and words are taught through bilingual words lists, dictionary study, and
memorization. 4
The sentence is the basic unit of teaching and language practice. 5
Accuracy is emphasized 6
Grammar is taught deductively 7
The student’s native language is the medium of instruction.
26
The major characteristics of Grammar Translation Method can be summed up in the following list:
1. Instruction is given in the native language of the students.
2. There is little use of the target language for communication.
3. Focus is on grammatical parsing, i.e., the form and inflection of words.
4. There is early reading of difficult text.
5. Typical exercise is to translate sentences from the target language into the
mother tongue. 6.
The result of this approach is usually an inability on the part of the student to use the language for communication.
7. The teacher does not have to be able to speak the target language.
27
26
Richards and Rodgers, Approaches and Methods, p.5-6
27
Marrianne Celce-Murcia ed., Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language, Boston: Heile Heinle, 3
rd
ed 2001, p, 6
