Audio Lingual Method

The Audio lingual method is based on the fact that the native language , as a

learned behaviour is acquired by the child in the spoken form first.

This has let to the assumption that students will acquire a second language

more easily if it is presented in the spoken form before the written form.

Development of Audio Lingual Method

The Audio Lingual method was developed in the U.S.A during the Second

World War where the learning of foreign language by the military personnel

became an urgent need. This method is also known as Army method . this

metod which basically aimed at developing audio listening and speaking

skills first as the foundation on which to build the skills of reading and

writing. This method was called Audio lingual by Brooks

Principles of Audio Lingual Method

According VILGA rivers following are the basic principles of audio lingual

Method to language teaching and learning

1. Language is speech and Not writing

The advocates of Audio lingual Method stresses the primacy of speech on

the ground that all normal children learn to speak much before they learn to

reader write if pedagogic implication is that oral presentation should precede

written presentation, This shift in emphaseis from reading and writing to

speech led to a radical change in the type material selected as basis for

teaching in the early stages.

2. A Language is set of Habits

B.F skinner characterized language as a verbal behaviour” influenced by

skinners “operant conditioning “ method came to believe that like social

behaviour child’s linguistic of Audio Lingual Method, came to believe that

like social behaviour child’s linguistic behaviour is also modifiable language

learning was thought of a s the process of habit forming. In the foreign

language teaching this belier has taken the form of mimicry memorization

and pattern drilling.

3. Teach the language and not about the language

This assumption reflects the result of audio lingual teachers against the

Grammar translation method for the audio lingual teachers Grammar is a

meaning ful end. As Moeulten says “ the real goat of instruction was an

ability to taught the language, and not to talk about it.

4. A LANGUAGE IS WHAT ITS NATIVE SPEAKER SAY NOT

WHAT SOME ONE THINK OUGHT TO SAY.

This assumption represents am attack on the prescriptive school grammar.

The expressions students learn from audio language material are these they

would hear around them in the country where language is spoken in the text

books of an early period , the language use was a artificially constructed to

teach certain points of grammar , all was drawn from literary text accepted

as classics. Such language has proved to be of little impractical use in the

day to day experience.

5. Languages are Different

Leonard and bloom field stresses the point that the learner must “start with

the clean state “because” the sound constructions and meaning of different

language are not the same”

The major difficulties for language learnedness are to be found at the point

where the foreign language differs most radically from the native language

therefore . the native language therefore.

The audio lingual materials are designed to present the problem of specific

foreign language to students with speak another specific language. The

material emphasized and gives special drilling in the major contrast between

the two languages.

CHARACTERISTICS OF AUDIO LINGUAL METHOD

Stem has listed the following distinctive characteristic of audio lingual

Method are as under.

1. Separation of skills listening, speaking, reading and writing and

primary or Audio lingual Method over the graphic skills.

2. The use of the dialogues as chief means of presenting the language

3. He emphasis on certain practice techniques mimicry, memorization,

and pattern drills.

4. The use of the language laboratory.

5. Establishing a languishing and psychological theory, as a basis for the

teaching..

Advantages Of Audio Lingual Method

The following are the advantages of audio lingual method

1. Over all Development of language skills

The objective of the Audio Lingual Method is the development of mastery in

all languages skills, beginning with listening and speaking and using these as

the basis for the teaching of reading and writing. The audio lingual

techniques do achieve success in developing comprehension and oral

fluency with in a limited body of language material presented in the form of

dialogues.

2. Relevancy of reading and writing material

Materials in reading and writing are based on the students growing

knowledge of the structure of the target language

3. A sense of achievement

The students in an audio lingual class experienced and being able to use

what they have learned

4. Active role of student

There is student to student interaction in Chain drill or shere students take

different role in dialogue but this interaction is teacher dirrrected most of the

interaction is between the teacher and the students and is initiated by the

teacher.

5. it gives knowledge or foreign culture the students are also acquainted with

the culture of the people who used the target language.

Disadvantages Of Audio Lingual Method

Following are the draw backs of Audio lingual method.

1. mechanical learning of the foreign language

If the audio lingual training is given mechanical way, students may progress

like well trained parrots able to repeat whole ssentences perfectly when

given a certain stimulus, but uncertain of the meaning for what they are

saying.

2. Un interesting techniques

The techniques of memorization and drilling used in the audio lingual

method can be come tedious and boarding causing fatigue and distaste on

the part of the learner.

3. Suited to lttle children

The method seen to be appropriate for younger children who love to mimic

and act out roles, and to learn through explanation.

4. it requires proficient teachers

The audio lingual Method makes a considerable demands upon the teacher.

He should have near native correctness of speech and information.