Meaning/concept:
Main objective to impart perfect command of foreign
language-this can be achieved by natural order only-LSRW-concerned mainly with
speech-basic principle; student should think directly in foreign language-words
are taught by pointing to pictures or objects-actions-reaction against GT
method as it made mechanical learning of language-observes the principles of
language acquisition-originated in France-1801-revised in 1909-the association
of French teachers formed in 1886-aims to create direct bond between meaning,
thought and expression-enabling students to think in and use foreign language
Principles:
1. learning is essentially
one of forming associations
2. repetition is essential if
associations to be formed and reinforced
3. memory depends on only
repetition but interest and attention
4. text, dictionaries,
grammar should be correlated to make learning effective
5. grammar teaching should
begin at sentence level-syntax is the most important part
6. inhibit the mother tongue
for direct bond
7. oral training help in
association
8. Aural-oral is the most
effective
9. Teach the language by use
not by rule
Characteristics/features
1. No interference of mother
tongue
2. Sentence if the unit of
teaching-taught in context
3. Emphasis on oral
teaching-teaching of phonetics-constant conversation with students
4. Proceeds from simple
living situations to complex
5. Stimulation or motivation
plays vital role
6. Emphasis on speaking and
reading-pupils to rely on ears
7. Grammar taught
inductively-first examples and then rule-taught indirectly
8. Full activity-interactive-situation-look
and say etc.
9. English environment
created
10. Direct bond between
thought and expression
Advantages/merits
1. A natural method-follows
LSRW order and scientific principles of language acquisition
2. Pupils become fluent in
speech
3. Active command over language-phonetic
aspect taught
4. Use of audio-visual aids
makes teaching interesting and real
5. Also write
fluently-quickly
6. Acquire grammatical
competence without conscious effort
7. Learners enjoy learning
8. Direct contact so
understanding becomes easier
9. Direct bond so sound
foundation of vocabulary
10. Psychologically sound
method-proceed form particular to general-concrete to abstract-practice to
theory
11. Bridges gap between and
active and passive knowledge
12. English
atmosphere-confidence developed
Disadvantages/demerits
1.
More emphasis on speech training other skills ignored such as
reading and writing
2. Requires very competent
teachers
3. Useful to linguistically
minded-appeal to aural-oral-average students may not get benefited
4. Ignores translation
completely-abstract words difficult to explain-material association, context
difficult
5. Time consuming
6. Lack of facilities may
create problems-requires hard work from teachers
7. Requires atmosphere at
home-which students might not get
8. Grammar taught
inductively-
9. Mother tongue will surely
come in the way
10. Planning activities very
difficult
11. Not for overcrowded
classes
12. Can not translate
