La méthode structuro-globale audio-visuelle (S.G.A.V.)

Résumé (en anglais)

This article outlines the main features of the audio-visual structuro-global method of teaching foreign languages, the psychological and linguistic theories it is based on (structuralism and behaviorism), analyzing its strengths and weaknesses. The principles governing this teaching method are: priority for the spoken language, implicit grammar learned through fixed pattern drills (replacing structures), limited vocabulary according to statistics criteria, focus on the teacher and use of mother tongue prohibited. All classes follow the same frame: listening to a dialogue and watching images illustrating the conversation, explaining the new items and reusing them through structural exercises and role plays. The main advantage of the SGAV method is the concern for speaking activities and for pronunciation, but there are also disadvantages, such as excessively automatic structures, artificial language, and lack of grammar rules, facts that make it very difficult for the students to become independent.