Bilingual Teaching - Language Across the Curriculum

Bilingual Teaching - Language Across the Curriculum - BE.d

1. Bilingual Teaching Suresh Babu G Assistant Professor CTE CPAS Paippad

2. Bilingual Teaching Bilingual Method is one of many teaching methods of English language. This method of teaching foreign language was developed by C.J Dodson in 1967. The method is used where two language ie , the mother tongue and target language are used. In this method, the mother tongue is used to achieve the target language.

3. The method is based on the principles of similarities and differences which is found between the two languages. These may be of situation, sounds, vocabulary, structure, etc.

4. Principles of Bilingual Teaching Method The understanding of words and sentences in foreign language can be made easier by the use of mother tongue. There is no need to create artificial situations for explaining the meaning of words and sentences of the targeted language. Bilingual method is the combination of the Direct method and Grammar translation method.

5. Characteristics of Bilingual Method Permits the use of first language. Teacher is not required to make situations. Sentence is the unit of teaching. Intensive practice in sentence patterns. Restricted use of mother tongue. Emphasis on pronunciation Consideration for all skills.

6. Advantages of Bilingual Method The teacher can save time as the mother tongue is used. An average teacher can use this method in class. This method is less costly as the use of teaching aids is minimum. Mother tongue acquisition rules are helpful in this method.

7. Disadvantages of Bilingual Method It cannot be applied in multi linguistic group. It requires teachers well versed in both language. Frequent comparison and contrast with mother tongue may cause confusion. It may degenerate into translation method. This method diverges the attention of the students

8. Spoils the continuity and fluency of the language. Can lead to defective pronunciation. Danger of the bad habit of learning everything by filtering through mother tongue. It reduces students exposure to the target language. I t ignores the fundamental aims of English language teaching. Disadvantages of Bilingual Method