2. The Audio-Lingual method, Army Method
or New Key is a style of teaching used in
teaching foreign languages which
emphasizes listening and speaking before
reading and writing. It is based on the
structural view of the language and
behaviorist theory of language learning. It
uses dialogues as the main form of language
presentation and drills as the main training
techniques
INTRODUCTION
2
3. HISTORY
o The Audio-Lingual
Method of teaching has
its origins during World
War II when it became
known as Army Method
o After WW II this module is
modified by Charles Fries and
it is also called Aural Oral
Approach. According to Fries
“Language should be taught
using intensive oral drilling of
its basic patterns”
3
4. How does Audio-Lingual
Method work ?
The main activities include reading aloud
dialogues, repetitions of model sentences, and
drilling. Key structures from the dialogue serve
as the basis for pattern drills of different kinds.
Lessons in the classroom focus on the correct
imitation of the teacher by the students. Not
only are the students expected to produce the
correct output, but attention is also paid to
correct pronunciation. Although correct grammar
is expected in usage, no explicit grammatical
instruction is given. It is taught inductively.
Furthermore, the target language is the only
language to be used in the classroom.
4
5. o Instructions are given in the target language
o Language forms occur within a context
o Students’ native language interferes as little
as possible with the students’ attempts
to acquire
o Teaching is directed to provide students with
a native –speaker like a model
o Analogy provides a better foundation for
language learning than analysis
The Principles of Audio-Lingual Method
5
6. o Errors are carefully avoided because they lead
to the formation of bad habits
o Positive reinforcement helps the student to
develop correct habits
o students are encouraged to learn to respond
to verbal and non-verbal stimuli
o The teacher is regarded as an orchestra
leader conducting, guiding and controlling the
students’ behavior in the target language
o learning a foreign language is treated on par
with the native language
The Principles of Audio-Lingual Method
6
7. Drill Technique
Types of drills
1.Backward Build-up Drill
2.Repetition Drill
3.Chain Drill
4.Single-slot Substitution Drill
5.Multiple-slot Substitution Drill
6.Transformation Drill
7.Question and Answer Drill
Repeat after
me!
Drilling means listening to a model
provided by the teacher, or a tape or
another student, and repeating what
is heard.
7
8. Advantages
Automatic learning
without stopping
It is emphasized in
sentence production
Disadvantages
Too much repetition
Only language form is
considered while
meaning is neglected
Equal importance is not
given to all four skills
Easy to execute for
large groups
Correct pronunciation
and structure are
emphasized and
acquired
Based on mechanical
learning and there is
no room for error
8
