انجمن علمی زبان دانشگاه آزاد یزد

Grammar-Based Approach

The grammar-based approach addresses the structure or grammatical elements of language in order to improve language skills. In an ESL class taught through the grammar-based approach, typically, the teacher spends most of the available class time explaining grammar elements; the students are mere listeners.

The grammar-translation method is a practice of the grammar-based approach. Grammar is taught with extensive explanations in students' native language, and later practice is through translating sentences from the target language to the native language, or verse visa. Little attention is paid to the content of texts; rather, emphasis is on language form itself. Similarly, little attention is paid to pronunciation and active use of English.

Although to some extent, focus on form is essential for English learners, especially English beginners, the grammar-based approach has many obvious drawbacks. No class time is allocated to allow students to produce their own English sentences, and even less time is spent on English output production (spontaneous or reproductive).

Students may have difficulties “relating” to the language because the classroom experience is disconnected from real life. There is often little contextualization of the grammar; thus, students memorize abstract rules in isolation. Therefore, grammar-based approaches have largely been rejected by the field, though grammar instruction is still considered by many as an essential component of ESL instruction and can be included within other approaches.

                                     Source: SAGE REFERENCE ONLINE