Grammar Translation Method

History and origin of the method: 

The Grammar Translation Method is a classical approach initiated in the history of linguistic pedagogy which has been in teaching for years. 

This method originated in the 19th century and focuses on classical languages such as Latin and Greek. 

Its main purpose was the reading and translation of literary and philosophical texts in their original form. Giving special importance to the translation and understanding of both the grammar and structure of the language. 

Characteristics of the method: 

This method is characterized by several points that we will name below: 

First, there is the emphasis on grammar, which consists of once the text is read the students focus on the grammatical structure in order to give importance and learn verb conjugations, grammatical rules or syntactic structures among others. The technique of attention will be applied in order to perform it successfully.

Secondly, there is translation. This feature is essential for the realization of the strategy. Students will have to take the text and translate it completely from one language to another. Through this translation, skills such as comprehension will be put into practice.

Thirdly, we have vocabulary and memorization. This is where students will spend time memorizing vocabulary or phrases with the foreign language set. Thus making them understand the words of the other language and know how to use them in context. 

The last feature we find is oral interaction. In this classic method unlike others puts little emphasis on interaction or oral communication with other classmates since it focuses on the translation of literary texts.

 

Criticisms of this method:

This method, as we have said above, was initiated in the 19th century. It has had an impact on linguistic pedagogy, but this does not mean that it has not been criticized. 

Over the years it has received negative comments since it has no communicative approach and little interaction for language learning. Therefore, many teachers choose not to use this method and focus on other more communicative methods. 

Every good teacher should have several methods in mind and although some are more traditional than others, the good thing about teachers' tools is to always bring out the best versions of the methods and adapt them in the best possible way to the students.

Teacher Alejandra.

(Google image)