Grammar

Grammar is the main tool of this language learning method. Grammatical analysis of sentence structure including morphology and syntax are taught to students and asked to practice over and over. Classes are usually conducted in the students’ mother or native tongue.

Vocabulary

Memorizing a vocabulary list of target language is also a basic element of the grammar-translation. It is like one column of words written in the target language and the second column is in the native tongue. Students are asked to memorize some words on a daily basis.

Practice

The last element of GTM is the practice of learned grammatical rules that includes translation of one sentence to other language. This practice makes learned a good writer and translator.

Scope of GTM:

The GTM has a very limited scope because of lack of speaking or any kind of spontaneous creative output. Students would often fail at speaking or even letter writing in the target language.

It has been rejected as a legitimate language teaching method by modern scholars like Bahlsen, Plötz and many others. Grammar Translation Method is still very popular in third world countries like India, Pakistan, and in some African countries. Moreover, it has no advocates. It is a method for which there is no theory.

Vocabulary learning in GTM is an essential element and without basic vocabulary it would really be very difficult for learners to make serious headway with any language, using any technique/method.

Vocabulary teaching is still popular in modern teaching methods/techniques but its form of teaching is change into presentation of words with pictures of the actual objects in full color instead of a dry word list. The positive edge of Grammar Translation Method is that it can be applied to a whole array of contexts and situations.

The learners of GTM have a good opportunity to read Greek/classical literature and have some knowledge of history of the country. Besides, it provides translation practice.

Goals of Grammar Translation Method

The GTM has two main goals. First is to enable students to read and translate literature written in the source language, and second is to develop students’ general intellectual discipline.

Objectives of the Grammar Translation Method:

There are some main objectives of grammar–translation classes.

• GTM develops reading ability to a level where a student can read literature written in the target language.
• This method improves students’ general intellectual capacity.
• Forming good academic knowledge of the target language is a key objective of GTM.
• GTM focuses on learning grammar rules for better accuracy.
• Moreover GTM develops students‘ memory

Weaknesses of Grammar Translation Method

The main weakness of GTM lies in its inability on the part of the student to use language for communication. Below are the weak aspects of GTM.

• GTM does not focus on communicative aspects, and as a result, speaking and listening skills are overlooked.
• There is no usual listening or speaking practice, and very little attention is placed on pronunciation
• More attention is paid to the form of the sentences being translated than to their content.
• The reading skill is exercised over and over in the context of translation.
• Tests often consist of the translation of classical literary texts.
• The result of GTM is an inability on the part of the learners to use language for communication purpose.

Main Reason behind Weakness of GTM

There are many aspects because of that GTM is not popular or beneficial among learners. Below are the same reasons that why GTM is not accepted by the modern students.

• The main cause is the lack of using language for communicative purposes.
• The class environment is void of speaking and listening practice that leads to the lack of development of communicative skills among learners.
• Classes based on GTM are conducted in the learners’ native language.
• Grammar rules are learned deductively.
• Then practice the rules by doing grammar drills and translating sentences to and from the target language.
• Students generally learn grammar rules by rote.