"Yakudoku," the traditional, non-oral method of teaching language in Japan, is described and compared with the grammar translation method of language instruction. The methods differ in that "yakudoku" focuses mainly on translation of the foreign language text into Japanese, with grammar instruction a secondary concern, and that the purpose of "yakudoku" is to render text into Japanese so that it may be understood in that language, rather than to understand the English text itself. The methods are similar in that both are accompanied by examinations administered on a large scale to secondary students, a powerful washback effect from examinations to curriculum and teaching method occurs, and focus is on written text, with neglect of oral/aural skills. A study of the classroom behaviors and teaching techniques of two Japanese "yakudoku" teachers of English as a Second Language, drawing on classroom observation and interviews, is also reported. The study confirmed initial characterizations of "yakudoku," underlined the importance of teacher control in "yakudoku," and revealed that the literature appreciation paradigm had a strong influence on instructional methods. Contains 40 references. (MSE)