ELT-M teaching methods

1. Grammar Translation
Method(GTM)
 Very old method of teaching a language.
 Aim is to read and understand to text written in
foreign language.
 No communication skill
 In Sri Lanka use this method to teach Pali to Sinhla
speaking children.
 Originated in German
 Popular among teachers due to lack of specialized
requirements

2. Scholars’ arguments
 Not improve communication skills
 Tedious memorizing of unusable grammar rules and
vocabularies.
 Attempting perfect translation.
 No theory behind this method.
 Develop only reading ability of a second language.

3. The principle characteristics
 Use mother tongue / little target language.
 Vocabularies are taught through isolated word lists.
 Long elaborate explanation of the intricacies* of grammar
are given.
 Grammar provide rules for putting word together and
instructions often focus on the form and inflexion* of
words.
 Reading classical texts/ no attention for content(exercise in
grammatical analysis)
 No attention for pronunciation.
 * the quality of being intricate
 * a change in the form of a word (typically the ending) to express a grammatical function or
attribute such as tense, mood, person, number, case, and gender.

4. Views of language and learing.
 Language is a system of riles to be related to the rules
of the first language (L1)
 Best to learn rules of grammar
 Application to arrange of examples
 Memorization of grammar paradigms
 Vocabulary list
 Translation

5. Role of the teacher
 Very traditional
 Teacher –centered teaching
 Dominate the class
 Control the class(has authority)
 Model for the whole class

6. Role of the students
 Passive listeners
 Depend on the teacher
 Answer only teacher's Questions
 Participation is very law(not active)
 Follow teacher's instructions act accordingly

7. Characteristic of teaching learning
process
 Grammar rules are taught deductively(rote learning)
 Singular noun is
 Plural noun are
 Grammar is taught in isolation (separate)
 Vocabulary is taught through isolated word list
 Grammatical rules are to ne memorized
 Speaking and listening are not emphasize
 Exam oriented
 Translation – MT to TL and TL to MT

8. Techniques
 Loud reading
 Translation of text and sentences
 Questioning and answering
 Memorization of grammar rules
 Dictation
 Teaching synonyms and antonyms
 Paragraph writing
 Writing composition
 Story building
 Areas of language – Grammar , vocabulary
 Skills emphasis – reading and writing

9. Role of the mother tongue
 Class room language is MT
 Used to explain grammar rules
 MT is the medium of instruction
 Translation MT to TL and TL to MT
 Use of MT is very important
 TL is learnt by reference to the first language(L1)

10. Handling errors
 Exam oriented ( accuracy is emphasize)
 Rigid error correction
 Teacher correct the errors / other students correct
them
 Low tolerance of errors in grammar classroom
 Learners must try to get correct answer if they fail
teacher provide the answer.

11. Evaluation
 Test – translation and filling the blank exercises
 Grammar rules are tested trough written exercises
 Composition are also used as test item