AudiolingualMethod – TugayElmas
Criticism of ALM
Structuralism
Language learning can not be succesfull with just focusing on structure.There are variety of factors such as socio-cultural , psychological etc .
Without meaningful learning , competence in language can not be achieved.
Behaviourism
Behaviourism can not function as a model of how humans learn languages.
Mechanical learning.
Human brain is capable of creating variety of ideas through language.However ALM only focuses on teaching habit formation which disables learners to produce spontaneous sentences.
Languages can not be learned in laboratories.
In order to learn a language students should practice in genuine environment.
What are the disadvantages of ALM ?
Reading and writing skills are not improved.
Teacher's domination of the class causes lack of motivation in students.
Since students dont know the meaning behind the sentences they repeat like parrots they are unable to see the true meaning of the words.
Repeating the same sentences over and over makes the lesson boring.
Students can't create anything new or spontaneous.
Students' roles
Students play a reactive role.
Learners play a reactive role by responding to stimuli, and thus have little control over the content, pace, or style of learning.
Students don't have much of a control in the classroom.
Students are imitators.
Students are seem as organism that can be manipulated by skilled teachers and skilled techniques.
What kind of techniques are used in ALM ?
Use of minimal pairs
The teacher works with pairs of words which differ in only one sound;for example , "ship/sheep."
Complete the dialogue
Selected words are erased from a dialogue students have learned.Students complete the dialogues by filling the balnks with the missing words.
Grammar game
The games are designed to get students to practice a grammar point within a context.
Drills
Backward build up drill
Repetition drill
Chain drill
Single-slot substitution drill
Multiple-slot substitution drill
Transfromation drill
Question-and-answer drill
Dialog Memorization
Students memorize the dialog through mimicry.
Application of ALM in the classroom
Let's get to the point = Principles
Discouraging the use of mother tongue in the classroom.
Students should overlearn the target language.
Immediate error correction.
Errors can lead to the formation of bad habits if not corrected immediately.
Language skiils are learned more effectively if they are presented orally first then in written form.
The meanings of words can be learned only in a linguistic and cultural contex.
Language learning is a habit-formation.
What should we know about its background
An oral-based approach.
The first strong method with theory of language and theory of learning.
Theory of language = Structuralism
Theory of learning = Behaviourism
It is based on the principles of behavioral psychology.
Behaviorist psychology states that people are conditioned to learn many forms of behavior, including language, through the process of training or conditioning.
It is also called "Army Method"
The Audio-Lingual method of teaching had its origins during World War II when it became known as the Army method.
What are the advantages of ALM ?
Native like production is the ultimate aim.
Effective to beginners.
This method provides students with simple vocabulary and conversation exaples.
Through imitation students improve their listening and speaking skills.
Making language teaching possible to large groups of learners.
Since errors are immediately corrected , students have a better chance of understanding their mistakes.
What is the role of the teacher ?
Teacher should use different techniques to grasp students interest.
Teacher should be a good model for imitation.
Teacher is like an orchestra leader, directing and controlling the language behavior.
Which skills are emphasized in ALM ?
Then writing and reading is introduced.
Emphasis is on the listening and speaking skills.
What are the objectives of Audio-Lingual Method ?
The ultimate goal is native like production.
Writing+reading comprehension.
Accurate pronunciation.
Oral comprehension.
