1 Introduction

The sequential teaching method founded by Fran ç ois Guian emphasizes the core position of oral teaching and verb teaching, advocating that language learning should follow the principle of sequence and repetitive practice. This teaching method reflects the social context of the shift from elite to mass language teaching in Europe, foreshadowing the secularization and popularization trend of language education. Gu'an's teaching philosophy goes beyond traditional grammar translation methods and is more in line with human thinking patterns and daily life. It embodies the teaching philosophy of putting people first and has had a profound impact on modern language teaching theory.

The historical background of the emergence of the Gu'an teaching method: changes in response to the needs of the times and language education

Discussed the impact of social changes in Europe during the first half of the 19th century on the demand for language teaching, as well as the background of the emergence of the Gu'an teaching method. Prune proposed five key elements for teaching method reform: motivation, significance, strategy, cognition, and the establishment of new paradigms. With the transportation and communication revolution, industrialization and urbanization accelerating, language barriers have become prominent, and foreign language learning has shifted towards practical communication needs. Teaching methods should be in line with teaching reality and student needs, with a focus on language acquisition and use. Europe is attempting to reform grammar translation methods to improve teaching effectiveness, with language teachers such as Gu'an becoming leaders of the change. At the same time, the wave of secularization has led to the elimination of Latin's status and the rise of universal languages in various countries. Therefore, the design of teaching methods needs to start from language characteristics. The trend of secularization in education provides a new paradigm for innovative teaching methods, emphasizing the importance of people's daily life experiences. In the mid to late 19th century, the paradigm of language teaching underwent a systematic transformation, with a qualitative change in core elements. Grammar translation methods were no longer suitable for the needs, and a new paradigm based language teaching method was about to emerge. Relevant leaders emerged in various European countries, which had a profound impact on teaching methods.

3 Gu'an Teaching Method: From Empirical Observation to Theoretical Construction

The development process of language teaching theory was discussed, especially the different teaching strategies and paradigms proposed by linguists from various European countries in the 19th century, aimed at improving the effectiveness of language teaching. As a representative of the French language teaching reform, Gu'an's teaching method is based on in-depth observation of the real language acquisition process. During his studies at the University of Berlin in Germany, Gu'an proposed the idea of learning everyday language by comparing his own German learning experiences with those of French workers. He divided language learning into two stages: perception and reproduction, emphasizing children's ability to organize and express themselves in logical order. Gu'an's teaching method was later incorporated into the official education guidelines of France and had a wide influence in countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States.

Analysis of the Connotation of the Gu'an Teaching Method: Based on Germain's "Four Views Model"

Claude Germain's "Four View Model" provides a framework for systematically analyzing foreign language teaching methods, including four dimensions: language, learning, teaching, and pedagogy. The Gu'an teaching method emphasizes the communicative nature of language, placing spoken language before written language, and believes that language is a direct product of thinking, closely related to psychology. Gu'an divides language into three types: objective, subjective, and extended, and emphasizes the sequential learning from objective to subjective. He attaches great importance to verbs as the core of sentences and the center of language, reflecting the natural laws of language acquisition through verb chains. Gu'an's teaching method does not particularly focus on grammar learning, but rather internalizes grammar rules through communication, while linking language and culture, emphasizing the importance of everyday language and culture in teaching.

The theoretical characteristics and historical status of the Gu'an teaching method

Explored the theoretical characteristics and historical status of the Gu'an teaching method. The Gu'an teaching method emphasizes individuality, subjective initiative, and humanism, linking language learning with individual life experiences, focusing on learners' cognitive processes, proposing sequence principles, and exploring learners' acquisition processes. The Gu'an teaching method emphasizes the role of linguistics in foreign language teaching, emphasizes that language teaching should be linked to real life, and values the fundamental position of everyday language in language learning. Gu'an advocated incorporating language learning into specific subjects and promoting the employment of foreign language teachers to create authentic contexts, which had a profound impact on language education in French and even European schools. However, the Gu'an teaching method has limitations in terms of sample size, teaching stages, and sequence. Its main limitation lies in attempting to reconstruct the process of mother tongue acquisition in foreign language classrooms, which do not have the conditions for mother tongue acquisition. However, as the first teaching method in the history of teaching with a theoretical foundation, the Gu'an teaching method has made a groundbreaking contribution, and its concept is still reflected in language teaching practice today. The Gu'an teaching method should not be simply classified as the embryonic form of the direct method, but should occupy a unique position in the history of language teaching.

6 Conclusion

The Gu'an teaching method has made a special contribution to the history of foreign language teaching methods, profoundly influencing direct and natural methods. It is an important innovation of French scholars in the world of foreign language teaching methods, and is worthy of in-depth research by foreign language scholars in China, especially French scholars.