AUDIO LINGUAL METHOD

AUDIO LINGUAL METHOD

 Audio lingual method is a style of teaching used in teaching foreign languages. It is based on behaviorist theory, which professes that certain traits of living things, and in this case humans, could be trained through a system of reinforcement—correct use of a trait would receive positive feedback while incorrect use of that trait would receive negative feedback.

            This approach to language learning was similar to another, earlier method called the direct method. Like the direct method, the audio-lingual method advised that students be taught a language directly, without using the students' native language to explain new words or grammar in the target language. However, unlike the direct method, the audio-lingual method didn’t focus on teaching vocabulary. Rather, the teacher drilled students in the use of grammar.

Drills and pattern practice are typical of the Audio lingual method.

·         Repetition: where the student repeats an utterance as soon as he hears it

·         Inflection: Where one word in a sentence appears in another form when repeated

·         Replacement: Where one word is replaced by another

·         Restatement: The student re-phrases an utterance

·         Inflection : Teacher : I ate the sandwich. Student : I ate the sandwiches.
Replacement : Teacher : He bought the car for half-price. Student : He bought it for half-price.
Restatement : Teacher : Tell me not to smoke so often. Student : Don't smoke so often!

·         The following example illustrates how more than one sort of drill can be incorporated into one practice session 

·         “Teacher: There's a cup on the table ... repeat
Students: There's a cup on the table
Teacher: Spoon
Students: There's a spoon on the table
Teacher: Book
Students: There's a book on the table
Teacher: On the chair
Students: There's a book on the chair