The Audiolingual Method was formed on the back of new ideas at the start of the 1920-30s, using drills to practise the language and to develop pronunciation and good grammar in students. It was popular in the late 60s and early 70s and dates back to pre-Chomsky ideas. These were based on experiments with animals. e.g. Skinner's experiments with rats and Pavlov's experiments with dogs.
Substitution was inbuilt into the drills so that students could be seen to develop new vocabulary on old structures, and vice-versa. In the 1970s the language laboratory came of age, and the teacher, at the front of the class, could listen to the repetition from the students and correct where necessary. This was done by positive reinforcement. The method is limited, although some learners have been able to produce excellent pronunciation. The idea is for students to be presented with the necessary language and not to generate their own. Errors are not accepted as they lead to bad habits. |
Positive reinforcement makes for good learning.
A typical lesson method would be:
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