Learning Spanish Part Nineteen - The Audiolingual Method

This method of second language instruction was amemorization of dialogues in the target language,
further development or evolution of The Directcomplex but useful drills, and grammar games.
Method. World War II rose up and slapped theOne technique used in this method, one that the
U.S. government in its linguistically challenged face,Pimsleur Language products use, is the expansion
waking it to the need and definite lack of languageor "backward build-up" drill.
competency to deal with the other nations of theThis is where a sentence or new vocabulary
world. Apparently, the U.S. continues to find itselfword is broken down in parts or syllables. The
in this position with International conflicts. Thestudent either starts from the end of the final
lesson has to be relearned over and over againword in a sentence and repeats each word within
that bilingual fluency is crucial for Americans.the sentence working backward or begins with
Without it, other nations, some of which are ourthe final syllable of the word and repeats each
enemies, have the distinct advantage.syllable, again working backward until the entire
The Audiolingual Method incorporated much fromword is pronounced. This is highly effective when
The Direct Method. To that method, it added thedone correctly. You will see this used extensively
concept of recognizing patterns within languagesin the Pimsleur and Learning Spanish Like Crazy
to try and teach communication ability within thecourses.
target language. Drills and extensive repetitionThe Audiolingual Method works and brings rapid
exercises were used to impart an "over learning"success but is not without its critics. It was
of the material that could impart the patterns ofargued that this method was just rote memory
the language and, hopefully, make automaticwork and did not take into consideration the
responses within the minds of the student whenemotional factors in second-language acquisition.
hearing and speaking the language.This paved the way for newer methods.
To facilitate this, one engages in a lot of