The Grammar Translation Method The Grammar translation method, or classical method emerged when people of the western world wanted to learn "foreign" languages such as Latin and Greek.  Its focus was on grammatical rules, the memorization of vocabulary and of various declensions and conjugations, translations of texts, doing written exercises. A class working with the Grammar translation Method would look like that: 1. Classes are taught in the mother tongue, with little active use of the target language. 2. Much vocabulary is taught in the form of lists of isolated words. 3. Long elaborate explanations of the intricacies of grammar are given 4. Grammar provides the rule for putting words together, and instruction often focuses on the form and inflection of words. 5. Reading of difficult classical texts is begun early. 6. Little attention is paid to the content of texts, which are treated as exercises in grammatical analysis.   THE GRAMMAR-TRANSLATION METHOD The Principal Characteristics: 1)   The goal is to learn a lang. In order to read its literature 2)   Grammar rules are studied with details, and memorized. 3)   Translating sentences and text is essential. 4)   Reading and Writing are the major focus.  5)   Vocabulary are taught through bilingual word list, dictionary  study, morization, and with translation  equivalents. 6)   The sentence is the basic unit of teaching and lang. practice.  Sentences are translated one by one. 7)   Accuracy is emphasized.  Ss are expected to attain high standards in translation. 8)   Grammar is taught deductively--that is, by  presentation  and  study of grammar rules are practiced through  translation            exercises. 9)   The Ss’ native lang. Is the medium of instruction. 1.   THEORY OF LANGUAGE ***  Language is a system of rules. ***  Literary lg is superior to spoken lg. ***  Lgs can be compared and contrasted. 2.   THEORY OF LEARNING ***  Lg learning is primarily memorizing rules and facts  in order to understand and manipulate stuctures of lg. ***  Translation is used as a means of lg learning. *** Learning is faciliated through attention to similarities   between TL  and NL. 3.  OBJECTIVES ***  Reading literature and doing translations in both directions. ***  The goal of foreign lg study is to appreciate literature and  increase mental capacity. 4.  SYLLABUS ***  Structural ***  From simple to more complex. ***  Systematic presentation. 5.  LEARNER ROLES ***  Tries to learn grammatical rules. ***  Read and write. ***  Translate. ***  Memorize rules. 6.  TEACHER ROLES ***  Authority in the classroom. ***  The medium instruction is NL. ***  Grammar taught deductively. 7.  LANGUAGE SKILLS to emphasize ***  Reading and writing ***  Translation 8.  ACTIVITIES *** Grammatical exercises and translation. ***  Vocabulary lists to memorize. 9.  ERROR HANDLING ***  Mistakes are corrected immediately. 10.  MATERIALS ***  Provide samples of literature. ***  Grammar taught deductively.