The Bilingual method of English language Teaching was developed by:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (1):
The Bilingual Method of English Language Teaching was primarily developed by **C. J. Dodson** (C. J. Dodson, 1967). This method emerged as a practical compromise, seeking to blend the advantages of two established approaches: the restrictive Direct Method, which completely forbade the use of the mother tongue, and the overly prescriptive Grammar-Translation Method. Dodson, recognizing the cognitive value of the learner’s first language (L1), proposed a system where L1 is used strategically and minimally by the teacher to explain new vocabulary, grammatical rules, and difficult concepts. The core philosophy is efficiency; by using the mother tongue for brief, explicit explanations, teachers can save significant time that would otherwise be spent on demonstrating meaning exclusively through gestures or visual aids, as required by the Direct Method. This method ensures that the student immediately grasps the meaning without mental confusion, allowing more classroom time to be dedicated to meaningful practice in the target language (L2). Importantly, the use of L1 is strictly limited to the teacher and is never encouraged for the students, maintaining a focus on L2 usage and production. Dodson’s approach is particularly effective in crowded classrooms or environments where resources for purely direct instruction are limited, making complex concepts accessible quickly and fostering better understanding among students.

The incorrect option is (2):
A. C. Wards is not credited with developing the Bilingual Method. While he is a noted figure in literature and drama criticism, his major contributions lie in literary studies, not in the field of modern English language teaching methodology.

The incorrect option is (3):
F. G. French is known for his work in simplified English and vocabulary control, but he is not the originator of the Bilingual Method. His influence is recognized in areas related to creating accessible reading material for non-native speakers, which differs substantially from developing a pedagogical teaching method utilizing the mother tongue.

The incorrect option is (4):
Sydney Walce is not recognized in standard English Language Teaching (ELT) history as the developer of the Bilingual Method. The development of major, named language teaching methods is attributed to specific linguists and educators, and Walce is not among those associated with this particular pedagogical innovation.