Audio-Lingual Method

     The audio-lingual method is one of the styles of teaching. It is used to teach foreign languages by listening and speaking, before reading and writing. This learning process happens in a short period of time.
    It is based on behaviorist theory which says that certain traits of living things could be trained through a system of reinforcement. The correct use of a trait would receive positive feedback while incorrect if that trait would receive negative feedback.

About its history:j



    The method had its origins during World War II when it became known as "the Army Method", developed by the United States. 
    As we said before, it is based on Skinner's behaviorism theory: "Emphasis is on the acquisition of patterns in common everyday dialogue."

        The audio-lingual method was used in the 1950s until 1970s. The emphasis was not on the understanding of a word, but rather on the acquisition of structures and patterns in common everyday dialogue. 
       

          These patterns are repeated and tested until the responses given by the students in the foreign language are automatic.


Characteristics:
                  ↠ Phrases are memorized with the focus on intonation.
                  ↠ Grammatical explanations are kept to a minimum.
                  ↠ Vocabulary is taught in context.
                  ↠ Focus is on pronunciation.
                  ↠ Correct responses are positively reinforced immediately.
                  ↠ Drills are used to teach structural patterns.
Drills and pattern practice, according to J.C Richards (1986):

Repetition: The student repeats an utterance as soon as he hears it.
Inflection: One word in a sentence appears in another form when it is repeated.
Replacement: One word is replaced by another.
Restatement: The student rephrases an utterance.



Advantages:

+ It aims at developing listening and speaking skills which is a step away from the        Grammar translation method.

       
+ The use of visual aids has proven its effectiveness in vocabulary teaching.



Disadvantages:

-The method is based on false assumptions about language. The study of language does not amount to study the observable data. Mastering a language relies on acquiring the rules underlying language performance.
   
-The behaviorist approach to learning is now discredited. Many scholars have proven      its weakness.

-It is a teacher-dominated method.

-It is a mechanical method since it demands pattern practice, drilling, and memorization over functional learning and organic usage.



Language skills are taught in this order:

  •         Listening
  •         Speaking
  •         Reading
  •         Writing
Objectives in short terms:
  •        Listening Comprehension
  •        Accurate pronunciation
  •        Recognition of speech symbols
  •        Reproduction of these symbols in writing.
Long terms:
  •        Acquiring language as native speakers


References:

❄ http://blog.tjtaylor.net/method-audio-lingual/
❆ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio-lingual_method
❅http://www.myenglishpages.com/blog/the-audiolingual-approach/

Comentarios