Teaching Turkish with Visual and Auditory Tools: The Audio-Lingual Method
- Selda Berat Özmen
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
Teaching Turkish with Visual and Auditory Tools: The Audio-Lingual Method
Learning a language becomes much more effective when visual and auditory materials are incorporated into the process. The Audio-Lingual Method (ALM), also known as the Aural-Oral Approach, gained popularity in the 1950s and relies on repetition, drills, and modeling to teach language structures naturally. This method helps students internalize Turkish grammar and vocabulary effortlessly.
What is the Audio-Lingual Method?
The Audio-Lingual Method is based on behaviorist psychology, which suggests that language learning is a habit-forming process. Through continuous listening and speaking practice, students learn correct language patterns.
Key Features:
✔ Listening and repetition are central.✔ Language labs and audio recordings are frequently used.✔ Dialogues and sentence patterns are emphasized.✔ Immediate correction ensures proper pronunciation.✔ Visual aids (pictures, videos) support learning.
How to Teach Turkish Using the Audio-Lingual Method?
1. Listening and Repetition
Students listen to Turkish dialogues or words and repeat them immediately, improving pronunciation and fluency.
📌 Example Activity:
Teacher: "Bu bir kitaptır." (This is a book.)
Students: "Bu bir kitaptır."
Teacher: "Bu bir kalemdir." (This is a pencil.)
Students: "Bu bir kalemdir."
2. Language Labs and Audio Recordings
In language labs, students listen to Turkish conversations through headphones and record their own voices for comparison.
📌 Suggestions:
Play podcasts like "Türkçe Öğreniyorum" (Learning Turkish).
Have students analyze their own recordings to correct mistakes.
3. Teaching Turkish Through Songs
Music is one of the most effective tools for language learning. Lyrics help with vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar.
🎵 Recommended Songs:
Tarkan- Şımarık (Simple, repetitive lyrics)
Barış Manço- Gülpembe (Storytelling and cultural context)
MFÖ- Ele Güne Karşı (Everyday conversational phrases)
📌 Activity Steps:
Listen to the song.
Fill in the blanks in the lyrics.
Sing along for practice.
4. Role-Playing Dialogues
Students memorize and act out everyday Turkish dialogues, enhancing speaking skills.
🗣️ Example Scenario: Ordering at a Restaurant
Waiter: "Buyrun, ne içersiniz?" (What would you like to drink?)
Customer: "Bir çay lütfen." (One tea, please.)
Waiter: "Başka bir şey ister misiniz?" (Would you like anything else?)
Customer: "Hayır, teşekkürler." (No, thank you.)
5. Visual Learning (Flashcards & Pictures)
Visual aids make vocabulary acquisition easier. The teacher shows an image, says the word, and students repeat.
🖼️ Example:
Picture: "Elma" (Apple) → Teacher: "Bu bir elma." (This is an apple.) → Students: "Bu bir elma."
Pros and Cons of the Audio-Lingual Method
✅ Advantages:
✔ Develops quick speaking skills.✔ Improves pronunciation and listening comprehension.✔ Provides practical communication through sentence patterns.✔ Ideal for auditory and visual learners.
❌ Disadvantages:
✖ May limit creative language use.✖ Excessive repetition can become monotonous.✖ Does not deeply teach grammar rules.
Conclusion: How Effective is the Audio-Lingual Method for Teaching Turkish?
The Audio-Lingual Method is particularly useful for beginner-level students. It is an excellent way to practice listening and speaking. However, it should be combined with other approaches like Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) or Task-Based Learning (TBL) for a well-rounded education.
Extra Tips:
Show Turkish-dubbed movie/TV scenes and have students repeat dialogues.
Use audiobooks to enhance listening comprehension.
Play word-chain games in class for vocabulary reinforcement.
The Audio-Lingual Method makes Turkish learning fun and interactive. With the right materials and varied activities, students can rapidly improve their language skills. 🚀
Have you tried this method in your Turkish classes? Share your thoughts below! 👇💬
Kommentare