Grammar‐Translation Method

Abstract

Language teachers have used the grammar‐translation method for many years. It is one of the most traditional methods in foreign language teaching that was originally used to teach languages and literatures such as Latin and Greek. This method involves very little spoken communication and listening comprehension. The primary skills to be improved are reading and writing skills. Its main characteristics are: learners should learn the grammatical rules of the target language and apply them in translating from one language into the other; learners should learn vocabulary through direct translation from the native language; learners should read in the target language and then translate directly in the native language. The popularity of the grammar‐translation method began to decline in the 19th century because of the importance of and demand for developing oral communication. Nevertheless, traces of this method can be found in some practices today, especially in courses where reading and translation are key skills to develop in order to take a proficiency test.