9a. Grammar Translation Method

Definition: A foreign language teaching method originating in the late 19th and early 20th century, primarily for teaching classical languages like Latin and Greek.
Purpose: To enhance literary and reading proficiency, further recognized as the Classical Method.

Historical Context: Initially the standard method for teaching Latin and Greek in Europe.
Expansion: Adopted for modern languages such as French, German, and English in the 19th century; still in use in various countries.

Key Objectives:
- Enable students to read and appreciate foreign literature.
- Study grammar of the target language.
- Enhance understanding of native language grammar.
- Improve speaking and writing in the native language.
- Promote intellectual growth through grammar exercises.

Reading and Writing Focus: Emphasizes reading and writing skills over listening and speaking.
Vocabulary Acquisition: Utilizes vocabulary from reading texts, focusing on translation, memorization, and dictionary study.
Sentence Structure: Centered on sentences as the primary teaching and practice component.
Grammar Accuracy: Grammar rules are taught explicitly before practice.
Instruction in Mother Tongue: Teaching predominantly occurs in the students' native language with limited use of the target language.
Traditional Roles: Portrays teachers as knowledge transmitters and students as knowledge receivers.

Students learn to:
- Read literature in the targeted language.
- Translate between the target and native languages.
- Improve reading and writing skills.

Translation of Texts: Translating literary extracts into the native language.
Reading Comprehension: Engaging with texts to find information, make inferences, and relate to personal experiences.
Synonyms and Antonyms: Identifying synonyms and antonyms in context.
Cognate Recognition: Learning spelling and sound patterns between languages.
Grammar Understanding: Understanding grammar structure followed by practical application.
Vocabulary Memorization: Memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules, including grammatical paradigms.
Written Expression: Crafting paragraphs, essays, or summaries using the target language.

Teacher Efficiency: Requires fewer specialized teaching skills.
Accuracy: Allows students to achieve high accuracy in the target language.
Literature Exposure: Encourages reading classic literature, enhancing mental and intellectual ability.
Vocabulary Development: Students memorize words, aiding in sentence formation and fluency in reading and writing.

Limited Interaction: Provides few opportunities for student engagement compared to more communicative methods.
Teacher-Centered: Focuses heavily on the teacher, restricting student interaction.
Production Challenges: Students rarely produce original sentences or engage in oral interaction.
Fluency Issues: Emphasizes accuracy over fluency, making real-world communication difficult.

Despite its limitations, the Grammar Translation Method has benefits, such as skill development in targeted languages and minimal instructor effort for teaching large groups. Additionally, it fosters mental and intellectual growth among learners.

Evaluation Methods:
- Written tests focused on translation skills.
- Questions about foreign culture and grammar rule applications.
Teacher's Handling of Errors:
- Emphasis on correction and accuracy.
- Perception of errors as failures, aiming for the correct answer.