Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Audiolingual Approach in Education

 

This and this is this, not are.

Question :

1.      What is the assumption of audiolingual method and its implication for English teaching?

2.      Explain the mechanistic classroom practice in audiolingual method!

Answer :

1.                    It assumes that students can be trained using a reinforcement system. The students are capable of showing behaviors. These behaviors are based on the stimulus that is given to them. Correct behavior receives positive feedback while errors receive negative feedback. So the audiolingual method is like direct method in which the lesson takes place entirely in the target language. In audiolingual method, learners are given stimulus in the target language; the learners show behavior in response of this stimulus in target language.

            Its implication in teaching English;. The objective of the audiolingual method is accurate pronunciation and grammar, the ability to respond quickly and accurately in speech situations and knowledge of sufficient vocabulary to use with grammar patterns. Particular emphasis was laid on mastering the building blocks of language and learning the rules for combining them. The audiolingual method is outdated and against the current trends in language teaching/learning. So it’s good to be taught to beginners who never learned or knew English before.

 

2.      As I resume from my friends’ presentation. It can be concluded that the practice of this method as follows;

a.      Repetition

It can be words repetition or sentence repetition. In the word repetition activity, the teacher repeats utterances as loudly and accurately as possible. The teacher guides the students to read the text from the book. The teacher gives repetitions to each utterance for three times and asks the students to repeat three times also. In the sentence repetition activity, the teacher asks the students to repeat after the teacher reading the sentences of the text in the book.

EXAMPLES.

·         I used to know him. – I used to know him.

I used to know him years ago

 

b.      Inflection

Where one word in a sentence appears in another form when repeated

EXAMPLES.

I bought the ticket. - I bought the tickets.

He bought the candy – She bought the candy.

 

c.       Replacement

Where one word is replaced by another word

EXAMPLES.

He bought this house cheap. - He bought it cheap

Helen left early - She left early.

 

d.      Restatement

The student rephrases an utterance and addresses it to someone else, according to instructions.

EXAMPLES.

Tell him to wait for you. Wait for me.

Ask her how old she is. How old are you?

e.       Completion

The student hears an utterance that is complete except for one word, then repeats the utterance in completed form.

EXAMPLE.

I'll go my way and you go … - I'11 go my way and you go yours

 

f.       Transposition

A change in word order is necessary when a word is added.

EXAMPLE.

I’m hungry. /so/ - So am I

 

g.      Contraction:

A single word stands for a phrase or clause.

EXAMPLE.

Put your hand on the table. - Put your hand there

 

And many more.