The Value Of G-T Method In ELT

The Grammar-Translation Method (G-T method) has undergone a long history. It has many ups and downs and there are a lot of controversies about using G-T method as a teaching technique. But the author finds G-T method is widely used in the practice of English teaching in professional colleges. In English classes many teachers still resort to the Grammar-Translation Method. Why is this method so popular? Is this method really out of date? In this paper, on the basis of the relevant theories of Second Language Acquisition, teaching approaches, and the research findings of the author, the author deals with the issue of how G-T method might best be used as a teaching technique in English classes of professional colleges. The purpose of the research is to find out the reasons why G-T method is widely used, to reveal the value of G-T method, to overcome the prejudice from its opponents, and thus form an objective view on this method instead of considering G-T method as the exclusive and most valuable teaching method. It is hoped that more people will consider the potential usefulness of G-T method, experiment with it, and provide more information that will enable instructors to make a more informed decision about it, rather than basing their disapproval of this method on the extreme applications that have been seen to date.The present paper is made up of the following parts. In introduction, the necessity and significance of the present study is introduced through analyzing the current situation of the professional education in China. Chapter 1 is concerned with literature review involving a short historical review of foreign language teaching approaches and methods, a brief survey on Grammar-Translation Teaching Method and the previous related researches into G-T Method abroad and in China. Chapter 2 deals with the theory basis of the present study. The theoretical bases and characteristics of G-T Method are listed first, and then the author lists the controversies about using G-T method as a teaching technique including different...