By: Yella Dezas Perdani

The Audio-lingual Method places significant emphasis on the instruction of speaking and listening skills prior to reading and writing in the context of foreign language instruction. The primary method of language presentation is through dialogues, while exercises serve as the principal training techniques. The use of one’s mother tongue is not encouraged within the academic setting.

The audio-lingual method based its views on language on the work of American linguists such as Leonard Bloomfield. The primary goal of American Linguistics in the early twentieth century was to document all indigenous languages spoken in the United States. Linguists had to rely on other sources due to a lack of competent local teachers who could provide a theoretical account of the native languages.

The following are the fundamentals of this method: 

  • Instructions are presented in the target language.
  • Language forms exist in context.
  • The student’s native language interferes with their attempts to learn the target language as little as possible.
  • Teaching is geared toward providing pupils with a model that is similar to that of a native speaker.
  • Errors are avoided at all costs since they lead to the creation of harmful habits.
  • Positive reinforcement assists students in developing good habits.
  • The teacher is considered an orchestra conductor, leading and controlling the behaviour of the students in the target language.
  • Foreign language learning is considered equal to native language learning.
  • Students are expected to imitate the teacher’s model or the videos.
  • The primary method of imparting vocabulary and structures is through dialogue, which is learned through repetition and imitation.
  • The practice strategies that are stressed are memorization and pattern drills.
  • In language teaching, listening and speaking take precedence over reading and writing.
  • Correct pronunciation, stress, rhythm

In short, learn a second or foreign language with the Audio-Lingual Method, which emphasizes speaking and listening skills while also emphasizing repetition and the creation of habits. This method helps the student comprehend the second language by requiring them to memorize information and engage in regular practice speaking through drilling based on real-world interactions.

Sources:
https://spada.uns.ac.id/pluginfile.php/649637/mod_resource/content/1/10.%20Audio%20Langual%20Method.new.pdf
https://blog.tjtaylor.net/method-audio-lingual/
https://research.iaun.ac.ir/pd/shafiee-nahrkhalaji/pdfs/UploadFile_8330.pdf