Essay María Elena García

 

MARIA ELENA GARCIA

e) Translation has been an important part of English language teaching for a long time, but it has been abandoned since communicative methodologies became dominant.

There are several methods that have been used in the teaching of foreign languages ​​in general, and English in particular, these correspond to the different methodological currents.

One of the first methods used in the teaching of English and other modern languages ​​is The method based on grammar and translation, is a deductive and mentalist method, according to which the language is acquired memorizing grammatical rules and paradigms, And long lists of vocabulary, and is practiced applying that knowledge in exercises of direct and inverse translation.

When the objective of learning a foreign language was to communicate with the speakers of that language, and not only the reading of literary works, it was seen that the method based on grammar and translation could no longer be used exclusively. Then arise, a series of methodological initiatives are grouped under the heading of "direct methods", whose common denominator is the idea that the student should be put in direct contact with the language he wants to learn, simulating concrete situations that are most similar to Real that could be obtained in the classroom.

The translation used in the teaching of the foreign language loses force and with the advances the communicative method arises, which emphasizes in helping the students to use the language of learning in a great variety of contexts and gives importance to the learning of the functions of the tongue. Its main purpose is to help students create meaningful phrases instead of helping them build perfectly correct grammatical structures or achieve perfect pronunciation.

The activities carried out in the classes based on the communicative method usually include activities in pairs and in groups that require the negotiation and cooperation of the students, activities focused on acquiring fluency that encourage students to increase their confidence, Simulation (role playing) in which students practice and develop the functions of the language, as well as activities focused on acquiring good use of grammar and pronunciation.

Therefore the communicative approach in the courses of foreign languages ​​supposes much more than to include ludic activities, authentic materials or to adopt a certain posture of personal relation. It is necessary for the teacher to be clear about his or her conception of language and foreign language teaching, which cannot be linked exclusively to lists of words, grammatical rules or functions.

Being communicative and following the communicative approach means understanding that a language is more than an instrument of communication; Is to conceive the language as a dialog, that is realized and concrete from the interaction with the others, in a determined social, political, cultural and historical context

Mind map.