GRAMMAR
TRANSLATION
METHOD
Nuzhat Nasir
Grammar Translation Method
Brief history of GTM
It was first used in 15th century for teaching the
classical languages, Latin and Greek. It was also
named as Classical Method.
Earlier in 20th century, this method was used for
helping students read and appreciate foreign language
literature.
Objectives
 Students will be able to read literature written in the target (English) language
 Students will be able to translate from one language to another
 To help students to develop reading and writing skill
 To help students read and appreciate foreign language literature
Characteristics of GTM
1.To read foreign literature
A fundamental purpose of learning a foreign language is to be able
to read its literature.
2.Emphasis on grammar rules
It emphasis on grammar rules and further, an application of these rules in
translation.
3.Reading and writing
Reading and writing skills are given the key role to play
whereas the speaking skill is paid little or no attention.
4.Memorization and translation
Memorization and translation are used as means of learning a language.
Words, however, are taught through bilingual word lists.
5.Emphasis on accuracy
Accuracy is emphasized. Students are expected to attain high standards in
translation.
6.Deductive method
In this method grammar is taught through a deductive method.
Rules are presented, and learners are given a chance to study
and practice the rules and the practices dependents more on
translation exercises.
7.Role of mother tongue
Mother tongue of the learner is used as a medium of
instruction and it is used to explain new items and to
enable comparisons to be made between foreign
language and the students’ native language.
8.Least attention on pronunciation.
In grammar translation method little importance is
given to the pronunciation because their major goal is
to read and write in the target language.
9.Role of teacher in GTM
Teacher is authority in the classroom. The students do as teacher
says so they can learn what he knows. The teacher’s role is very
traditional as he explains, translates, conducts practice and corrects
mistakes of the students
10.Role of student
The role of the learners is very passive. They memories
vocabulary of foreign language, grammar rules and learn
to translation.
11.Nature of student-teacher interaction
Most of the interaction occur between learners to teacher and they
least talk with each other.
12.Teacher’s response to student error
Errors are corrected immediately by the teacher. The major
emphasis is on correction and errors are considered as
unnecessary and sign of failure.
Techniques of GTM
1.Translation
2.Reading Comprehension Question
3.Antonyms/synonyms
5.Grammar rules .
6.Fill-in-the-blanks:
7.Memorization.
Advantages
• This method is useful in the class in which there are a large no of students.
• It is an easy method to teach foreign language. It is method through which the
learner proceeds from known to unknown language.
• Translation method helps in the rapid extension of vocabulary of the students as it
avoids difficult and lengthy explanations.
• It helps teacher to clear the meaning of a word and sentence easily by
translating it in to the mother tongue.
• It does not consume time in finishing the syllabus.
• It saves teacher’s labor. He does not require different audio visual aids to
explain words meaning.
• It is beneficial to use in the class where there are students have mix ability to
learn.
• Students’ comprehension is very easily assessed through grammar translation
method.
• Grammar of the foreign language is easily taught by comparing it with the
grammar of the mother tongue
Disadvantages
1.No oral work takes place in the class room due to this method.
2. The focus remains only on the mother-tongue and the target language remains
ignored.
3.The students do not develop the power of thinking in the target language.
4. It does not help the students to learn correct pronunciation of English
language or the target language.
5. Main emphasis is given on the rules of grammar.
6. Students try to do everything by translating.
Grammar translation method

Grammar translation method

  • 1.
  • 2.
  • 3.
  • 4.
    Brief history ofGTM It was first used in 15th century for teaching the classical languages, Latin and Greek. It was also named as Classical Method. Earlier in 20th century, this method was used for helping students read and appreciate foreign language literature.
  • 5.
    Objectives  Students willbe able to read literature written in the target (English) language  Students will be able to translate from one language to another  To help students to develop reading and writing skill  To help students read and appreciate foreign language literature
  • 6.
  • 7.
    1.To read foreignliterature A fundamental purpose of learning a foreign language is to be able to read its literature.
  • 8.
    2.Emphasis on grammarrules It emphasis on grammar rules and further, an application of these rules in translation.
  • 9.
    3.Reading and writing Readingand writing skills are given the key role to play whereas the speaking skill is paid little or no attention.
  • 10.
    4.Memorization and translation Memorizationand translation are used as means of learning a language. Words, however, are taught through bilingual word lists.
  • 11.
    5.Emphasis on accuracy Accuracyis emphasized. Students are expected to attain high standards in translation.
  • 12.
    6.Deductive method In thismethod grammar is taught through a deductive method. Rules are presented, and learners are given a chance to study and practice the rules and the practices dependents more on translation exercises.
  • 13.
    7.Role of mothertongue Mother tongue of the learner is used as a medium of instruction and it is used to explain new items and to enable comparisons to be made between foreign language and the students’ native language.
  • 14.
    8.Least attention onpronunciation. In grammar translation method little importance is given to the pronunciation because their major goal is to read and write in the target language.
  • 15.
    9.Role of teacherin GTM Teacher is authority in the classroom. The students do as teacher says so they can learn what he knows. The teacher’s role is very traditional as he explains, translates, conducts practice and corrects mistakes of the students
  • 16.
    10.Role of student Therole of the learners is very passive. They memories vocabulary of foreign language, grammar rules and learn to translation.
  • 17.
    11.Nature of student-teacherinteraction Most of the interaction occur between learners to teacher and they least talk with each other.
  • 18.
    12.Teacher’s response tostudent error Errors are corrected immediately by the teacher. The major emphasis is on correction and errors are considered as unnecessary and sign of failure.
  • 19.
  • 20.
  • 21.
  • 22.
    • This methodis useful in the class in which there are a large no of students. • It is an easy method to teach foreign language. It is method through which the learner proceeds from known to unknown language. • Translation method helps in the rapid extension of vocabulary of the students as it avoids difficult and lengthy explanations.
  • 23.
    • It helpsteacher to clear the meaning of a word and sentence easily by translating it in to the mother tongue. • It does not consume time in finishing the syllabus. • It saves teacher’s labor. He does not require different audio visual aids to explain words meaning.
  • 24.
    • It isbeneficial to use in the class where there are students have mix ability to learn. • Students’ comprehension is very easily assessed through grammar translation method. • Grammar of the foreign language is easily taught by comparing it with the grammar of the mother tongue
  • 25.
  • 26.
    1.No oral worktakes place in the class room due to this method. 2. The focus remains only on the mother-tongue and the target language remains ignored.
  • 27.
    3.The students donot develop the power of thinking in the target language. 4. It does not help the students to learn correct pronunciation of English language or the target language. 5. Main emphasis is given on the rules of grammar. 6. Students try to do everything by translating.