语法翻译法存在的价值

The Value of Grammar-Translation Method in College English Teaching

语法翻译法存在的价值

[Abstract]

With the rise of communicative approach in the 1980s, the dominant position of grammar-translation method has been challenged and questioned. In view of the current situation of English teaching in China, grammar translation still plays an irreplaceable role. So far, grammar translation method still has its reality, but in view of some shortcomings and disadvantages of grammar translation method, we need to constantly reform and innovate so as to better serve our English teaching.

[Key Word]

Grammar Translation Method; Reality; Reform ;Innovation 

I. Introduction

In the long history of foreign language teaching, grammar translation is the oldest teaching method. Vocabulary and grammar are the main contents of teaching. Since the 20th century, with the development of science and technology and the progress of linguistics, people have come to realize that language teaching is not only to impart linguistic knowledge and skills, but also to cultivate communicative competence. Language is a tool of communication. In this case, communicative teaching methods such as listening and speaking, systemic response and silence have sprung up. Grammar translation method has been questioned and criticized gradually because of its own shortcomings and drawbacks. However, communicative approach has not replaced the dominant position of grammar-translation approach in practical teaching until today. The present situation of English teaching in China provides a living space for grammar translation.

First, the necessity of English grammar teaching emphasizes the necessity of grammar teaching. Widdowson is the representative of foreign scholars. He believes that “language teaching is essentially to learn how to express meaning through grammar.” If you hold other views, they are all wrong (1990:97). Ellis (1997) pointed out that when students only accept communicative language teaching courses but not grammar knowledge points, their accuracy of using language will be greatly reduced. Cook (2000:35) argues that the question of whether grammar should be taught must be raised again, not for the last time. First language learning and second language learning are completely different. Children naturally acquire a first language without conscious first language learning, which does not mean that adult learners cannot learn a second language in such a way. Conscious explanation is also a way of teaching language. Chinese scholar Wang Zongyan (2001) pointed out that “learning English must acquire grammatical knowledge, do not understand grammatical knowledge, listen to English, read English cannot understand, speak English, write English cannot start.” Scholars who oppose grammar teaching are represented by Krashen. Krashen.(1982) believes that grammar can be acquired naturally, so grammar teaching is not necessary. College English teaching in our country has undergone reforms. In the past, most of the college English teaching aims at examinations and pays attention to grammatical basis. However, students often show dumb English, which can only do questions and cannot communicate with each other. Nowadays, College English classes focus more on the cultivation of students’ communicative competence, which weakens the basic position of grammar. If students do not have a systematic and solid grammar learning, it will greatly reduce the accuracy of oral or writing. “Requirements for College English Teaching” summarizes that the goal of College English teaching is “to cultivate students’ comprehensive English application ability, especially listening and speaking ability, so that they can communicate effectively in English in their future study and social intercourse, at the same time, to enhance their autonomous learning ability and improve their comprehensive cultural literacy so as to meet the needs of social development and international communication in China.”In order to achieve this goal, College English teaching should be based on the teaching of language grammar and pay attention to the cultivation of students’ communicative competence. Therefore, grammar learning is absolutely necessary. With a solid foundation of grammar, students’ language skills can be effectively improved.

II. The Reality of Grammar-Translation Method in College English Teaching in China

Teaching methods are carried out indoors. Teachers usually use both Chinese and English to teach in class. In view of this situation, if communicative teaching method is adopted, most students have no chance to speak English in class. When enrolling students in Colleges and universities, the students’ foundations are uneven, the “dumb English” education is deeply rooted in the hearts of most students, and the situation of “high marks and low abilities” is common. In this case, grammar translation method is used to help teachers better manage the classroom and successfully complete the teaching objectives 2. Teachers’ factors. Communicative teaching method came into being in the 1970s. Most foreign language teachers in Colleges and universities are over 30 years old and have received grammar translation method education since childhood. They lack the understanding of communicative teaching method. The communicative teaching method requires more teachers than the mother tongue. Teachers should design a large number of situations for students to practice and guide and adjust them when appropriate, which has a high demand for teachers’ own theoretical basis and oral ability. In addition, the communicative teaching method also has higher requirements on the technical equipment of schools. The communicative teaching method breaks the traditional teaching mode of “a chalk, a ruler, a textbook”. The equipment and equipment of most colleges and universities can not meet the requirements of communicative teaching method, so it is difficult to carry out communicative teaching method. In view of the current situation of teachers in Colleges and universities, grammar translation method eliminates the obstacles of communication between teachers and students. Teachers can use their mother tongue to teach smoothly, and this method can also be implemented smoothly when the equipment and technology are not advanced enough.3. The present situation of examination-oriented  education. Based on the most realistic point of view, although the College Entrance Examination, CET-46, CET-48 and Graduate Examination have undergone several reforms, the examination of language knowledge is still the central content of the test. If students want to go to school, pass the exam and take the postgraduate entrance examination, it is an insurmountable barrier to take the exam. “For ordinary colleges and universities, it is imperative to stimulate students’  learning motivation through CET-4 and impart them the necessary language knowledge, otherwise the cultivation of communicative competence will be empty talk.” In order to pass the exam smoothly and achieve good results in the exam, grammar translation method is the most direct, realistic and labor-saving method 4. Students’ own factors. English is a foreign language rather than a second language in our country. The transfer of mother tongue to foreign language always exists. Every human language has a system with its structure and rules, and grammar is the summary of language structure and rules. Chinese students generally begin to learn English when their mother tongue is mature, but the English language environment is often unsatisfactory. Chinese students have been receiving grammar translation teaching from elementary school to junior high school and then to senior high school. The traditional methods are deeply rooted, which makes the communicative approach lack a solid foundation. Grammar-translation method, with its own advantages and characteristics, is still playing an important role in today’s foreign language teaching. Based on the reality of foreign language education in Colleges and universities in China, grammar translation method has great vitality and will continue to be popular for a long time. However, things are constantly changing and developing. There are no invariable methods in foreign language teaching. Any method has its drawbacks and shortcomings. On the contrary, we should take the essence and dregs of the traditional methods and constantly reform and innovate to make them better serve our English teaching.

III. The innovative application of Grammar-Translation Method in College English teaching in China.

The traditional grammar translation method is teacher-centered, and the teacher is the organizer and decision maker of the classroom. “Teachers are encouraged and punished by compulsory teaching methods Punishment, coordination of interaction with students, and ultimately to achieve the goal of imparting knowledge and skills to students. The status of students is more passive, only as the imaginary object of teacher preparation, as well as the object of teaching in class, students adopt more adaptive and passive behavior. In the long run, it will lead to dull classroom atmosphere and low enthusiasm of students. Therefore, in teaching, we should take students as the center, respect students’ principal position, change the “cramming” teaching mode, pay attention to students’ learning needs, and cultivate students’ learning initiative and self-learning ability. Foreign languages are not only instrumental, but also humane. Traditional teaching emphasizes on the cultivation of students’ English language knowledge while ignoring the education of communicative competence and cultural awareness. In the process of foreign language teaching, teachers should pay attention to the cultivation of students’ humanistic quality, not only to enable students to master basic language knowledge, but also to cultivate students’ cross-cultural awareness, correct values, patriotism and innovation ability, so as to truly achieve the unity of instrumentality and humanism. 85 Foreign language teaching methods are flourishing, and none of them can be applied everywhere. Grammar translation helps students to form a complete grammar system, help students form solid grammar knowledge, students have a higher level of reading and translation, and teachers test teaching methods are relatively simple. However, the grammar-translation method neglects oral English teaching. Although students master grammar and vocabulary knowledge, their general grammar ability is weak. Overemphasizing teachers’ thematic status in the classroom is not conducive to the cultivation of students’ autonomy. These shortcomings of grammar-translation method can be remedied by communicative approach. If we combine the two methods, make full use of their advantages, absorb their essence and dregs, we can better serve foreign language teaching. 3. Develop students’ practical language ability, use reasonable memory correctly and oppose rote memorization. Recitation and memory play a very important role in language learning. Mr. Ye Yinsheng, a famous linguist and professor of the Chinese Department of Peking University, said in an interview with students at the University of Macau: “To learn a language, we must read, speak and recite more. I like to recite in Chinese, English or other languages, because recitation is one of the ways to help me get through. Grammar translation method pays attention to the memory of grammar rules and vocabulary and tends to go to the extreme of rote learning, which is the weakness of grammar translation law. Nevertheless, we cannot deny the importance of reciting memory in foreign language learning. Reasonable memory recitation can not only improve students’ discourse ability and language perception ability, but also improve students’ humanistic literacy and interest in learning. Therefore, at this stage, reasonable memory should still be strongly advocated.

IV. Conclusion

In a word, grammar translation still plays an important role in college foreign languages in China because of its unique advantages. However, long-term existence does not mean perfect, any method must have its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, we should absorb its essence while absorbing the advantages of other teaching methods. We should constantly reform and innovate according to the characteristics of the teaching subject, so that it can better serve our English teaching.