THE DIRECT METHOD
The Direct Method has one very basic rule: No
translation is allowed
Meaning is to be conveyed directly in the target
language through the use of demonstration and visual aids
PRINCIPLES
The reading skill will be developed through practice
with speaking
Language is primarily speech Culture consists of more than the fine arts(e.g. the
students study geography and cultural attitudes).
PRINCIPLES
Objects (e.g. realia or pictures) presented in the
immediate classroom environment should be used to help students understand the meaning
The native language should not be used in the
classroom.
PRINCIPLES
The teacher should demonstrate, not explain or
translate
It is desirable that students make a direct association
between the target language and meaning.
PRINCIPLES
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
PRINCIPLES
The purpose of language learning is communication
Pronunciation should be worked on right from the
beginning of language instruction
PRINCIPLES
Self-correction facilitates language learning Lessons should contain some conversational activity
some opportunity for students to use language in real contexts
Students should be encouraged to speak as much as
possible
PRINCIPLES
Grammar should be taught inductively with no explicit
grammar rule given
Writing is an important skill to be developed from the
beginning of language instruction
PRINCIPLES
The syllabus is based on situations or topics, not on
linguistic structures
Learning another language also involves learning how
speakers of that language live
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF TEACHERS WHO USE THE DIRECT METHOD?
Teachers who use the Direct Method intend that
students learn how to communicate in the target language
In order to do this successfully, students should learn
to think in the target language
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF TEACHER?
Teacher directs the class activities and the student role
more active than in the Grammar-Translation Method
The teacher and the students are more like partners in
the teaching/learning process
WHAT ARE SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TEACHING/LEARNING PROCESS?
Teachers believe students need to associate meaning and
the target language directly
Students speak in the target language and communicate
as if they were in real situations
The syllabus is based upon situations or topics
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF STUDENT-TEACHER INTERACTION?
The initiation of the interaction goes both ways, from
teacher to students and from student to teacher, although the latter is often teacher-directed
Student to teacher interaction is often teacher-
directed
HOW ARE THE FEELINGS OF THE STUDENTS DEALT WITH?
There are no principles of the methods which relate to
this area
HOW IS LANGUAGE VIEWED?
Language is primarily spoken, not written
WHAT AREAS OF LANGUAGE ARE EMPHASIZED?
Vocabulary is emphasized over grammar
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE STUDENTS NATIVE LANGUAGE?
Students native language should not be used in the
classroom.
HOW IS EVALUATION ACCOMPLISHED?
Students might be interviewed orally by the teacher
Students may be asked to write a paragraph about
something they have studied
HOW DOES THE TEACHER RESPOND TO STUDENT ERRORS?
The teacher, employing various techniques, tries to get
students to self-correct whenever possible
TECHNIQUES
Reading aloud
Question and answer
Fill-in-the-blank exercise
Dictation Map drawing
exercise
Getting students to self-
correct
Conversation practice
Paragraph writing
