METHOD

• Use of mother tongue.
• Vocabulary items are taught in the form of word lists.
• Elaborate explanations of grammar.
• Focus on the morphology and syntax.
• Reading of difficult texts early in the course.
• Practice focuses on exercises translating sentences or texts from mother tongue to the target language and vice versa.

It is surprising to see that the Grammar Translation Method was still in use in some classrooms during the late decades of the 20th century. May be, it’s  because it bears some advantages.

Advantages

• Translation is the easiest and shortest way of explaining meaning of words and phrases.
• Learners have no difficulties to understand the lesson as it is carried out in the mother tongue.
• It is a labor-saving method as the teacher carries out everything in the mother tongue.

http://www.myenglishpages.com/blog/grammar-translation-method/