As a homeschool parent, you understand the importance of stringent education. Language learning can play a significant part of that comprehensive curriculum. Second-language study improves scores on entrance exams and strengthens applications for colleges and jobs, as well as growing every student’s intellectual potential. As a result, students need their education to be well rounded and completed with language learning, but with so many different curriculums and learning tools out there, choosing the right materials for second-language study at home can be a challenge. |
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At Rosetta Stone®, we have devoted ourselves exclusively to understanding the process of learning a new language. In this article, we’ll show you how Rosetta Stone draws upon the very best methods and technologies of the past 500 years to provide the ideal solution for today’s language learners.
The Grammar-Translation Method and Textbooks
The Grammar-Translation Method was introduced in the 16th century to teach Latin and ancient Greek. This method mainly used dictionaries, explanations of grammatical rules (in English), some sample sentences and exercise drills to practice new structures.
The aim of teaching Latin and Greek was (and still is) not to speak the languages, but to develop logical thinking, read original texts, gain an understanding of ancient times and raise the standard of the learner’s first language. Of course, the best technology available for using this method was books. Textbooks provided all the explanations, dictionaries, rules and translations that students needed.
This method, designed predominantly to study ancient texts, was applied to the study of modern languages in the early 1800’s. Surprisingly, it is still used today, even though grammar drills and textbooks do not help students develop necessary communication skills. Also, it requires the instructor to do all the teaching, monitoring and grading of their students’ work manually.
Constant interactivity and immediate feedback ensure mastery while a flexible management system provides complete lesson planning, tracking and reporting.
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