Compare contrast CLT Grammar translation method
Teaching methods
Both the grammar translation method and communicative language teaching are teaching methods for acquiring a foreign language. Whereas the grammar translation method focuses on the translation of certain grammar rules and the translation of vocabulary, the communicative approach aims for acquiring the skill of communication for the learner Scrivener (2011). Both methods are effective in their own way, although the communicative approach focuses on the actual goal of language, namely communication between human beings. In this essay the grammar translation method and the communicative approach will be compared and contrasted, laying special emphasis on the assertion that the communicative approach is more effective for the learning and understanding of a foreign language than the grammar translation method.
First of all, a remarkable difference in language usage is noticeable when comparing the two methods. While the grammar translation method exclusively uses the learner’s mother tongue, the communicative approach uses nothing else but the actual target language. With the use of the mother tongue, it is easier to understand grammar and meaning of words. (Rhalmi, M. (2009). This is a required skill to decipher written texts. When only using the foreign language, the level of oral communication increases. (Rhalmi, M. (2009). To find out which of both outcomes has a bigger value, it needs to be clear what the original goal of language is. Communicating is a required skill to survive. Oral communication is something that dates from the origin of the human kind. The invention of written language is a lot more recent. (Bright, W. (n.d). This proves that language is originally used for communication. Given this point, there can be concluded that the outcome of the communicative approach has bigger value to language’s actual goal.
In contrast, a really attractive feature on the grammar translation method is its easily understandable
Both the grammar translation method and communicative language teaching are teaching methods for acquiring a foreign language. Whereas the grammar translation method focuses on the translation of certain grammar rules and the translation of vocabulary, the communicative approach aims for acquiring the skill of communication for the learner Scrivener (2011). Both methods are effective in their own way, although the communicative approach focuses on the actual goal of language, namely communication between human beings. In this essay the grammar translation method and the communicative approach will be compared and contrasted, laying special emphasis on the assertion that the communicative approach is more effective for the learning and understanding of a foreign language than the grammar translation method.
First of all, a remarkable difference in language usage is noticeable when comparing the two methods. While the grammar translation method exclusively uses the learner’s mother tongue, the communicative approach uses nothing else but the actual target language. With the use of the mother tongue, it is easier to understand grammar and meaning of words. (Rhalmi, M. (2009). This is a required skill to decipher written texts. When only using the foreign language, the level of oral communication increases. (Rhalmi, M. (2009). To find out which of both outcomes has a bigger value, it needs to be clear what the original goal of language is. Communicating is a required skill to survive. Oral communication is something that dates from the origin of the human kind. The invention of written language is a lot more recent. (Bright, W. (n.d). This proves that language is originally used for communication. Given this point, there can be concluded that the outcome of the communicative approach has bigger value to language’s actual goal.
In contrast, a really attractive feature on the grammar translation method is its easily understandable
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