In my opinion, there is not one, single language teaching approach or
method that will work 100% of the time for every student. After reading Chapter
3, however, I realized that several of the methods discussed could possibly be
the most effective language teaching lessons but it is evident that there needs
to be a variety of methods used in a classroom in order to reach all kinds of
learners. Personally, I particularly enjoyed reading about the Grammar-Translation
Method. This is most likely how I learned Spanish during the past ten years. Learning
vocabulary lists, grammar rules, and constant repetition is how the language
has really stuck with me but I know that this isn’t the case with everyone. I
know that this works best for me because I am aware that I am a visual learner –
I need to see the words and grammar rules written down in front of my face in
order to retain their meanings and rules. I have a feeling that the majority of
my future lesson plans will be presented using this method of teaching because
that is what makes the most sense to me. Of course, this method isn’t perfect
because I still believe that it is important to hear the language from a native
speaker even if you may not understand what is being said, a lot of people just
pick up the language from hearing words and phrases in context that isn’t
necessarily the same as reading a textbook full of lists and rules.
One of the methods that I consider to be weaker than the
rest is the Direct Method. I don’t understand how this method could work as
well because there doesn’t seem to be any logical fluency to the learning of a
language according to this method. How does one avoid the use of translation
and still understand everything? I believe that a student needs to be aware of
what they are learning with some more explanation other than miming actions or
using objects. I am trying to comprehend that the central tactic with the
Direct Method is to use simple discourse when teaching the language but that is
not very realistic because you would have to perform that flawlessly in an
ideal environment using systematic structures constantly. Even for many highly
qualified teachers, this seems idea seems very hard to monitor day to day.
Ideally, I believe that the type of language instruction
that should produce the highest levels of success is one that encompasses
hearing the language constantly, written interpretation, visual aids,
repetition, drills to practice new vocabulary, and analytic explanations of
grammar functions. All of these methods mentioned in Chapter 3 have their
strengths (and weaknesses) but if there was a tactful way to include all of
these essential factors of language learning that would probably be the most
effective and efficient language learning setting.
I agree with what you have said here. The grammar-translation method of teaching can only go so far, but is an important method for lower level language classrooms. You really do need to learn some amount of vocabulary in order to be able to speak at all in the future. Without learning vocabulary, you would not be able to use any fluency skills in speaking that have been learned. The grammar-translation method allows students to connect the target language with the students' primary language in a direct manner. This makes it less frustrating, because they already have a learned concept of language and the important of using words to communicate.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you about the importance of the grammar-translation method since it is necessary to learn all the grammatical rules in order to actually speak the language, but I think it's strange how the grammar-translation method requires students to translate and learn all the grammar rules without any emphasis on hearing the language being spoken from a native speaker. Having the rules and vocabulary words written down helps, but hearing it spoken is just as important
ReplyDeleteI find it very interesting that almost all of us have mentioned the benefits of the grammar-translation method. Granted we have also acknowledged the shortcomings of it, but we all seem to agree it is a good method for teaching. I wonder if that is because the grammar-translation method is practically all we know. That is exactly how most of us have learned the Spanish language. Maybe we are too comfortable with that method? Maybe we have to step outside of our comfort zones and try something completely new? I don't have the answer; I simply thought it was an interesting observation.
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