THE GRAMMAR-TRANSLATION METHOD

Introduction
The Grammar-Translation Method was called the Classical Method since it was first used in the teaching of the classical language, Latin and Greek ( Chastain 1988 ). This method was used for the purpose of helping students read and appreciate foreign language literature.



Reviewing the Techniques:

1. Translation of a literary passage
Students translate a reading passage from the target language into their native language. The translation may be written or spoken or both. Students should not translate idioms and the like literally, but rather in a way that shows that they understand their meaning.

2. Reading comprehension questions
Students answer questions in target language based on their understanding of the reading passage.The third group of questions requires students to relate the passage to their own experience.

3. Antonyms/synonyms
Students are given one set of words and are asked to find antonyms in the reading passage.A similar exercise could be done by asking students to find synonyms for particular set of words.

4. Cognates
Students are taught to recognize cognates by learning the spelling or sound patterns that correspond between the languages. This techniques only be useful in language that share cognates.

5. Deductive application of rule
In deductive, from patterns of language to examples.

6. Fill-in-the-blanks
They fill in the blanks with new vocabulary items or with items of a particular grammar type.

7. Memorization
Students are given lists of target language vocabulary words and their native language equivalents and are asked to memorize them.

8. Use words in sentences
Students make up sentences in which they use the new words.

9. Composition
The teacher gives the students a topic to write about in the target language. The topic is based upon some aspect of the reading passage of the lesson.


Conclusion
The Grammar-Translation Method is classical Method that used 'Native Language' when learning with this method, besides that in this method use deductive method, teacher teaches the students from patterns of sentences to give example. Vocabulary and grammar are emphasized. The purpose of Grammar-Translation method is to help students read and understand foreign language literature.