Les exercices structuraux

Abstract

The structural exercises are pattern drills that allow the student to deal with the language and its phonetical and grammar structures automatically. The audio-oral method of teaching languages is focused on this type of exercises. They are conceived according to the notion of model sentence or pattern. The pattern drills knew a huge success during the 60's and 70's, due to the positive effect of theoretical factors (such as behaviorism and structuralism) and technical ones (the language lab). They are the auxiliary tools necessary to the teaching/learning foreign languages process: their flexibility allows them to be used at any level. This kind of exercises offers the students the possibility to gain spontaneity and flexibility in using grammatical forms and eases their way towards freely expressing themselves in the foreign language. They ensure a certain rhythm to the class, demanding a quick reaction from the student whenever the teacher addresses to him by a stimulus. From an operational point of view, we have repetition, substitution and transformation exercises.