The Audio-Lingual Method is a widely used method for teaching a foreign language. This method is also known as the Army method. It is based on Pavlov’s behavior theory which gives the idea of learning by repeating. In this method, the system of reinforcement is used. The correct answers of students will receive positive reinforcement and the wrong answers will get negative reinforcement.
Typically, in the Audio-Lingual Method teachers teach the lessons through drill and pattern practice. For example, repetition. Here students repeat what their teachers say as soon as they listen to it. Then, inflection, replacement, and restatement are also used for oral drills. In this method, the only target language is used and grammar is taught inductively. Audio-Lingual Method focuses on listening and speaking skill only. The classroom is focused on the correct imitation of the teacher. So, the learners become parrots in this method. Parrots can speak the words they are taught. As the method does not focus on the grammatical rules and vocabulary, students cannot produce anything of their own. They become unable to speak using the target language in real-life communication. They can only speak the things they are taught in the classroom.
Audio-Lingual Method is teacher-centered. The teacher conducts the class like a native speaker. So, students are expected to use the correct pronunciation and they must have the abilities that a native speaker has. Students are not allowed to take time for thinking before they speak. Teachers are always aware of the mistakes of students. They alert the students about the difficulties of the lesson. Still, if they make any error, the teacher corrects it immediately
Conducting class using the Audio-Lingual Method in the secondary education of Bangladesh will not be very effective. First of all, this method only focuses on listening and speaking but our curriculum and books are based on reading and writing. So, it will not match each other. Moreover, secondary level students will not enjoy the class repeating their teacher like a baby or like a parrot. They will not like to be corrected in the middle of the learning. Ultimately, the classes will be boring and unsatisfying for them. So, the goal of teaching and learning will not be achieved using the Audio-Lingual Method for secondary learners in the context of Bangladesh.
Learned new thing from your piece of writing.Too much relatable with classroom activities.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much
DeleteThe Audio Lingual Method only teaches a student how to repeat. If the instructor has poor language skills, the students will also have poor language skills. I see this a lot. When I hear someone speak, I can tell how they learned English, and if they learned from a native speaker.
ReplyDeleteYes that's the major risk of learning a new language using ALM. Thank you so much for sharing your opinion sir
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