THE DIRECT METHOD

THE DIRECT METHOD

Towards the end of the late 1800s, a revolution in language teaching philosophy took place that is seen by many as the dawn of modern language teaching. Teachers, frustrated by the limits of the Grammar Translation Method in terms of its inability to create communicative competence in students, began to experiments with new ways of teaching language.

 Basically, teachers began attempting to teach foreign languages

in ways that was more similar to first language acquisition. It incorporated techniques designed to address all the areas that the Grammar Translation did not namely oral communication, more spontaneous use of the language, and developing the ability to think in the target language.

 The method became very popular during first quarter of the 20th century, especially in private language school in Europe where highly motivated students could study new languages and not need to travel far in order to try them out and apply them

communicatively.

 One of the most famous advocated of the Direct Method was the German Charles Berlitz, whose schools and Berlitz Methods are now world-renowned.

OBJECTIVES

The basic promises of the Direct Method is that the student will learn to communicate in the target language, partly by learning how

to think in that language and by not involving L1 in the language

learning process.

 Objectives includes teaching the students how to use the language spontaneously and orally.

linking meaning with the target language through the use of realia, pictures

RICHARDS AND ROGERS (1989:9-10) S U M M A R I Z E T H E K E Y F E AT U R E S O F T H E DIRECT METHOD THUS:

The teacher must have a high level of English Classroom instruction is conducted exclusively in the target language. Only every day vocabulary and sentences are taught.

 Both speech and listening comprehension are taught. Grammar is taught inductively. New teaching points are taught through modeling and practice. Correct pronunciation and grammar are taught.

W H AT I S T H E P U R P O S E O F THE DIRECT METHOD?

The purpose is to enable students to use a foreign language to communicate.

W H AT I S T H E B A S I C R U L E O F THE DIRECT METHOD?

The basic rule of the Direct Method is that No translation is allowed.

HOW DOES THE DIRECT METHOD RECEIVE ITS NAME?

The Direct Method receives its name from the fact that meaning

is to be conveyed directly in the target language through the use of

demonstration and visual aids, with no recourse to the students' native language

ADVANTAGES OF THE DIRECT METHOD .

This method lays more emphasis on oral work, which ensures

good pronunciation to the learners.

It makes the teaching of English easier. It helps the learners to have fluency in speech. It helps the students to have good command over the language.

DISADVANTAGES OF THE DIRECT METHOD

There is need of really competent teachers for teaching English by using this method.. Sometimes the teacher fails to make the students understand the meaning of a particular word because the use of the mother tongue is not allowed.. Reading and writing process of the language gets less attention..

TECHNIQUES
Reading aloud. Question and answer exercise. Getting students to self.-correct.

Conversation practice.
Dictation. Paragraph writing.

PRINCIPLES
Reading in the target language should be taught from the
beginning of language instruction; however, the reading skill will be developed through practice with speaking. Objects (e.g. realia or pictures) present immediate classroom environment should be used to help students understand the meaning The native language should not be used in the classroom.

 The teacher should demonstrate, not explain or translate. Students should learn to think in the target language as soon as possible.. Vocabulary is acquired more naturally if students use it in full sentences, rather than memorizing word lists. The purpose of language learning in communication (therefore students need to learn how to ask questions as well as answer them). Self-correction facilities language learning.

ITS LESSON TIME.