Grammar Translation Method

The grammar translation method was allegedly the original method of teaching the English language - or indeed any language - in schools.

Classes were carried out completely in the students' mother tongue and the grammar and vocabulary were translated into the target language. The unstated assumption was that students would naturally pick up the ability to use the language if they obtained a full and explicit understanding of the "The Rules".

It is not a particularly good method as there is no evidence that students actually learn languages through memorising grammar rules.

It was followed by the Direct Method.