Grammar Translation Method

GRAMMAR TRANSLATION METHOD

History
Throughout Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, the education system was formed primarily around a concept called faculty psychology. In brief, this theory dictated that the body and mind were separate and the mind consisted of three parts: the will, emotion, and intellect. It was believed that the intellect could be sharpened enough to eventually control the will and emotions. The way to do this was through learning classical literature of the Greeks and Romans, as well as mathematics. Additionally, an adult with such an education was considered mentally prepared for the world and its challenges. In the 19th century, modern languages and literatures begin to appear in schools. It was believed that teaching modern languages was not useful for the development of mental discipline and thus they were left out of the curriculum. As a result, textbooks were essentially copied for the modern language classroom. In America, the basic foundations of this method were used in most high school and college foreign language classrooms and were eventually replaced by the audio-lingual method among others. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammar_translation

The Principles of GTM
Here are the principles of GMT based on Diana Larsen and Freeman.
1. The goal
The fundamental purpose of learning a foreign language is to able to read literature written in the target language.
2. The role
The role is very traditional. The teacher is the authority in the classroom. The students do as he says so they can learn what he knows.
3. Characteristics of learning process
• Students are taught to translate from one language to another.
• Students study grammar deductively. They memorize grammar rules and examples then are asked to apply them.
• They also learn grammatical paradigms.
4. Interaction
Most interaction is from the teacher to students, students- student interaction is little.
5. Emphasized area of language
Vocabulary and grammar are emphasized. Reading and writing ate the primary skill.
6. Students’ native Language
The meaning of target language is made clear by translating to native language. The language is used in class is mostly the student’ native language.
7. Evaluation
This method uses written tests in which students are asked to translate literature.
8. Correction
Having the students get the correct answer is considered very important. The teacher supplies students the correct answer if they don’t know.

Strengths :
1. The students can be the master of grammar.
2. The students can translate the language.

Weakness :
1. it is a boring method for the students who do not like learn about grammar.
2. the students will get the problem to communicate with the foreigner.
Source : http://blokcinta.blogspot.com/2008/04/method-in-teaching-language.html