Grammar-Translation Method

Grammar-Translation Method

Grammar-translation method began in Germany (Prussia), at the end of the 18th century and became popular in early years of the 19th century

Situation:

·         Traditional Scholastic Approach - to acquire a reading knowledge of foreign langauges by studying a grammar & applying this knowledge to the interpretation of texts with the use of a dictionary

·         Scholastic Methods did not fit group teaching in classrooms for young school pupils

Solution:
Grammar-Translation Method (G.M.) attempted to adopt these traditions to the requirements and circumstances of schools. It preserved the basic framework of grammar and translation because they were already familiar to teachers and pupils from their classical studies.

·         Feature:

o    to replace the traditional texts with sample sentences

o    sentences’ for translation into and out of the foreign language

·         The concept of "practical" appeared in 19th century language course. For us, practical means "useful," but in the 19th century a practical course was one required "practice"

·         Purpose:

o    to pass the formal written examinations

o    to present the grammar in a more concentrated and clear way

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