The Grammar-Translation method

The Grammar-Translation method also known as the Classical Method was

originally intended for the teaching of Latin and Greek in the late 19th and
early 20th centuries. For this reason, the main intention for learning these
languages, was not so that students could set any kind of communication, but
an appreciation and study of culture throughout the target language literature.
Then, the main objectives of the Grammar-Translation method are:
-To be able to read literature written in the target language
-To learn about the grammar rules and vocabulary of the target language.
- Using and improving logical thinking
Also there must be certain key features which are characteristic of the GT method.
-Classes are taught in the mother tongue, with little active use of the target language
-Much vocabulary is taught in the form of lists of isolated words.
-Grammar provides the rules for putting words together . Students study grammar
deductively.
-Reading of literary passages.
-Texts are treated as exercises in grammatical analysis.
-Little or no attention is given to speaking or listening. Pronunciation is not significant.
The teacher has the traditional role of an authority inside the classroom. Another
important characteristic of the Grammar-Translation method is having the students get
the correct answer, if any of the students have it, the teacher must provide the correct
answer.
The disadvantages I get to find from this method are not only the ones related with the
non-existing encouragement for students towards a communicative competence, but
also I believe it might not be successful, due to its drab characteristic
Disadvantages

The Grammar Translation Method may also left the students with a sense of
frustration when they travel to countries where the studied language is used (they
cant understand what people say and have to struggle mightily to express
themselves at the most basic level)

This method neither approaches nor encourages the students communicative competence.

Reasons why it still used

The Grammar Translation Method is still common in many countries even popular. Brown in his
book Incremental Speech Language (1994) attempts to explain why the method is still employed by stating:
This method requires few specialized skills on the part of teachers.
Grammar rules and Translation Tests are easy to construct and can be objectively scored.
Many standardized tests of foreign languages still do not attempt to test communicative abilities, so students
have little motivation to go beyond grammar analogies, translations and other written exercises.
Conclusions
The Grammar Translation Method was developed for the study of dead languages and to facilitate access to
those languages classical literature. Thats the way it should stay. English is certainly not a dead or dying
language, so any teacher that takes an approach for dead language study into an English language classroom
should perhaps think about taking up Math or Science instead. Rules, universals and memorized principles
apply to those disciplines pedagogy and communicative principles do not.