Primary purpose was to enable students to explore the depths of great literature. A secondary purpose was to help students understand L1 better. This was done through extensive analysis of grammar. Translation quizzes verify acquisition . L1 and L2 are always compared .
Most time is spent talking about language rather than speaking language.
No personalization or contextualization relating to students experience. Affective concerns are non-existent. Drawbacks of the Grammar Translation Methodology Academic forms of language presented, the meticulous detail of grammar explanations, the long written exercises and the long vocabulary lists are all strenuous and boring. All I can say in my own defense is that the mass of the class had preceded me in to the Land of Nod by at least a clause or two. Comprehension comes about by listening to language in large quantities.