1. Grammar is taught deductively—a meticulous/ careful analysis of the target written language, translation is a common technique; extensive memorization of vocabulary, rules, grammatical paradigms and verb conjugations.

2. Nature of the learner-teacher interaction. Primarily from teacher to students; little student initiation and little student-student interaction.

3. Vocabulary—learnt from bilingual word lists– isolated words and grammar are primary areas; reading & writing primary skills

4. Having learners get the correct answer is important; the teacher often supplies the correct answer when students don't know it.

5. A paramount/chief use of translation exercises

6. The mother tongue is used as the medium of instruction, with little active use of the target language.

7. Grammar provides the rule for putting words together, and instruction often focuses on the form and inflection of words.

8. Reading of difficult classical texts begins early.

9. Little attention to pronunciation, speaking/listening skills, the content of texts, which are treated as exercises in grammatical analysis