THE GRAMMAR TRANSLATION METHOD

VS. THE DIRECT METHOD

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The first principle that we choose is The Grammar Translation Method. This method is derived
from a method of teaching Latin and Greek which is also called as Classical Method; it is used to
teach foreign languages. It is also a way to keep their native language lives. Basically, its main
purpose is to help the students to read and understand literature written in target language. It also
helps to develop students mental exercise. At the same time, the translating part is where they are
using their first language to be translated to the second language and vice versa. They also use their
native language during lessons. That is how they liven up their dead language. In addition, this
method is only focused on the reading and writing.

The second principle that we choose is The Direct Method. This method is actually a response to
Grammar Translation Method. This is another method of teaching foreign languages but it is way
different than Grammar Translation Method. They are almost the opposite of each other. In this
method theres no use of mother tongue in class. This is because the teacher wants the students to try
speaking in second language. Not to forget, theres no translation as well. It focuses more on speaking
and listening on everyday vocabularies. Therefore, there are a lot of oral presentations, spontaneous
use of language and little grammar rules are involved. The purpose of the method is to ensure the
students to make good pronunciation as little emphasize on their ability to write.

2.0 SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

Grammar Translation Method

SIMILARITIES

Both are used in teaching

These methods emphasize on
able to understand when the

DIFFERENCES

It is focused on reading and writing

The class is conducted in native
language.
The lesson is focused on Grammar
rules and application
Literature and difficult text are the
main teaching materials

Direct Method
foreign languages
knowing the language and being
language is spoken
It is focused on speaking and
listening
The class is conducted in foreign
language
Grammar is taught inductively
Visual aids are used to teach
vocabularies

3.0 STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

Grammar Translation Method

Direct Method

This method saves teachers time

This method is more fun and

interesting

Students can understand easier

because of the use of native
language
It made English grammar easy
because the students compare
between English grammar with the
grammar of their mother tongue
Students tend to get the wrong idea
of grammar because they think in
their mother tongue and translate
the sentence directly in English
This method neglects speech
The class is boring because the
lessons are focused on teaching
materials like literature and texts.
No scope of creative writing

Students are more alert and

participate in activities more often
Students will be able to
communicate in English because
of the speaking practice
This method doesnt focus on
reading and writing.
This method is expensive as the
teacher will need to use projector
and linguaphone and so on
It doesnt work well in higher
classes, only works for early
stages
Many abstract words cannot be
interpreted directly in English

4.0 IMPLEMENTATION

In Malaysia, English is the official second language that is compulsory to be taught in schools and
universities. We all are aware that English is the worlds first language that connects everyone across
the globe. Everyone is ought to learn this language in order to be able to communicate with foreign
people or whenever they go travel. English is somehow a serious language that everyone must learn in
this country if they want to survive; majority of job applications, college interviews and qualifications
want a candidate that knows English. Of course, if its teaching matter- Grammar Translation Method
and Direct Method are being used by the teachers here.

Most of the teachers in our country use Grammar Translation Method widely during their lessons.
If we talk about year 3 students, Direct Method is probably not a good idea to be used to teach them
English. This is because they most probably cant speak English nor understand the language. If
teachers tend to speak in English during lesson, they would probably understand nothing. Most
parents dont practice English speaking at home; it would be a challenge for teachers to teach students
with no basic of English. With Grammar Translation Method, they can at least have the idea of what is
the text they are learning about. They will learn new vocabularies everyday but as mentioned above,
not all the vocabularies they learn can be used in communicating. They could be out of their level.
They also will be lack of pronunciation as they focus too much on reading and writing that the
communication part is neglected.

On the other hand, Direct Method is only effective for communication. Some teachers think that
Direct Method is a strict method as students will need to think in English and speak its language. If
native language is mixed up in the lesson, students will become confused. They will do a lot of errors
in pronunciation because they are too tied with their mother tongue. Thats not good. But somehow,
communication is really important especially with the state of the surrounding these days. The
vocabularies in this method are the ones that can be used in everyday conversation. Most people
communicate in English although they are from the same race. If you only know how to write but you
cant speak, youre still lack of a lot of things. This method trains students to have the confidence to
communicate in English as well as training them to pronounce words properly so people can
understand them when they speak. It is rather fun than Grammar Translation Method that only refers
to texts and literature. They will get bored easily in class. Still, it doesnt mean that the students have
to focus only on communicating, reading and writing is important too.

5.0 PERSONAL COMMENT & CONCLUSION

5.1 PERSONAL COMMENT

In our opinion, both of these methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. However,
Grammar Translation Method is the one that gives a huge effect on students. We think that the first
thing that you need to learn is how to read and write because the communication skills namely
speaking and listening can be enhanced later. If you know how to read and write, you would surely
know how to speak. The only thing that matters is confidence. With great effort and many practices, a
student will be able to master all four skills. Sometimes the classic method is the most effective one in
teaching. The teacher just needs to be wise in handling the disadvantages and weaknesses of the
method theyre teaching by replacing it with something else. They need to be creative, thats all.

5.0 CONCLUSION

In the nutshell, we still think that Grammar Translation Method is a great method to be used by
teachers. Although it sounds boring and lame, it is somehow effective in teaching students the
meaning of the sentences they are learning. They need to learn a lot of vocabularies so that their
knowledge will be wider and not just focused on the ones that they only use in their everyday lives.
They need to be familiar with new words. In terms of speaking and listening, they can definitely learn
it as it wouldnt be that hard to teach. Direct Method is good as well, dont get us wrong. We do think
that its an effective method too. But in our opinion, they really need to learn how to write and read
first before speaking so they can arrange their sentences nicely later on when they communicate in
English. As for the teachers, they need to put their heart and soul in teaching so that it doesnt go
wrong.