The Audio-lingual Method

Introduction:

            The audio-lingual method was widely used in the United States and other countries in the 1950's and 1960's. It is still used in some programs today.

Approach:

            Theory of language

The Structural view of language is the view behind the audio-lingual method. Particular emphasis was laid on mastering the building blocks of language and learning the rules for combining them.

Theory of learning

Behaviorism, including the following principles:

• language learning is habit-formation
• mistakes are bad and should be avoided, as they make bad habits
• language skills are learned more effectively if they are presented orally first, then in written form
• analogy is a better foundation for language learning than analysis
• the meanings of words can be learned only in a linguistic and cultural context

Design

Objectives:  

Here are some of the objectives of the audio-lingual method:

·        accurate pronunciation and grammar

·        ability to respond quickly and accurately in speech situations

·        knowledge of sufficient vocabulary to use with grammar patterns

The syllabus

Audiolingualism uses a structural syllabus

Types of learning techniques and activities

·        dialogues

·        drills

Procedure

Here is a typical procedure in an audio-lingual course

• Students hear a model dialogue.
• Students repeat each line of the dialogue.
• Certain key words or phrases may be changed in the dialogue.
• Key structures from the dialogue serves the basis for pattern drills of different kinds.
• The students practice substitutions in the pattern drills.