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After learning the 2 methods, u guys probably still a bit confused about those 2

methods, so I will help everyone point out the differences of the 2 methods to help
u distinguish and understand. There are two tables to help us distinguish. The
first 1 is about content and the 2nd is about the role of 2 theories
In terms of translation / grammar / language skills / language focus /
error correction
GTM DM
- Focus on translation. - No translation is allowed.

- Grammar is taught deductively. - Grammar is taught inductively.

- Reading & Writing. - Listening & Speaking.

- Language focus: vocabulary & - Language focus: vocabulary is


grammar are equally important. emphasized over grammar.

- Teacher corrects students' mistakes. - Students self-correct their mistakes


under teacher's guidance.

GTM DM
Teacher’s goal Appreciate FL literature Think and communicate

Teacher’s role -authority -the director in class


-talking time to more -activities

Student’s role -passive -active


-do what teacher says More learner-learner interaction

Error correction -teacher supplies the correct -teacher helps students to self-
answer correct

We can see that the both methods are opposite to each other. Weaknesses of
GTM are the strengths of DM and vice versa /ˌvaɪs ˈvɜːrsə/. Language learning is
based on 4 skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing, so both the methods
fail to create balance in the natural order of priority as GTM lays stress on the
last 2 skills whereas DM does the same with the first 2 skills. Therefore, they are
poles apart from each other. To help everyone understand the lesson, our group
has compiled a game to summarize what we have learned today and GN will be
the one to lead that part

The target language is the language learners want to learn, or the teacher wants
them to learn.

After seeing the demo /ˈdeməʊ/, we will surely learn many useful lessons about
how and why teacher teaches students like the demo or the example in ur
handout and I’m here to help you explain about it/’.

THINKING ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

The first one is:

1. The students read aloud a passage about United States geography

Can u look at the handout and read the principle in the column on the right

 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. Language is primarily speech. Culture consists of more
than the fine arts
As you can see from the demo the students read a passage aloud, don’t they? Can
u tell me the reason why the teacher makes them read aloud?
(The teacher let the students read a passage aloud to help students access the
material and develop their skills as active speakers & listeners; provides a model
of fluent, expressive reading & reading skill is gradually developed. Some people
say that if you want to know about the culture of other countries you have to
know about their art but this is really not true. You can learn other countries'
cultures through other things and one of the familiar ones is geography. We are
exposed to geography from an early age so this makes it easy to access other
cultures.)
2. The teacher points to a part of the map after each sentence is read.
 Objects (realia /riˈeɪ.li.ə/ or pictures) present in the immediate classroom
environment should be used to help students understand the meaning.
Realia means the use of real objects to teach. For example, when the teacher
wants to teach them the word “apple”, he is not supposed to translate the word
but he is supposed to bring the real apple and show it to the students and then ask
them some questions like “do you know what is it?”
Can u tell me why the teacher has to use objects to help students understand
the meaning, why does he just translate it?
In DM, there is one very basic rule that u have to know is No translation is
allowed so the teacher can’t …
(Like the idiom: Seeing is believing, the teacher points out each object clearly
so that students can make a strong impression in their minds and remember it
a longer time than just being heard about it)
3. The teacher uses the target language to ask the students if they have a question.
The students use the target language to ask their questions.
 The native language should not be used in the classroom
Can we just ask and answer the questions in both VNmese and English?
(One basic rule in the Direct Method is that you are not allowed to translate,
so you have to use English during the lesson. The TL improves students’
confidence with comprehension and helps to demonstrate a positive attitude
towards the language being learned. Using the TL consistently requires
advanced knowledge of the language, which helps students use English more
often and they will improve their skills more easily)
4. The teacher answers the students’ questions by drawing on the blackboard or
giving examples.
 The teacher should demonstrate, not explain or translate. It is desirable that
students make a direct association between the target language and meaning.
Can u tell me why should the demonstrate but not translate …
(When the students face a difficult problem, they look forward to an instant
answer or explanation. This may seem quicker and easier, but it can actually
be detrimental to student learning. The main reason is that when students get
an answer, they mistakenly think they have understood the lesson, or when
they receive an immediate explanation, students will stop thinking and accept
the teacher's suggestion.)
5. The teacher asks questions about the map in the target language, to which the
students reply in a complete sentence in the target language.
6. Students ask questions about the map.
 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 is communication (therefore students need to
learn how to ask questions as well as answer them)
Can u tell me the importance of thinking in the target language and using the
vocab in full sentences
(Thinking in a foreign language is an important goal that brings you one giant
step closer to becoming fluent. There is also the fact that language and culture
are intertwined, and thinking in your target language is an essential part of
being able to connect with the people you are trying to get to know.
Answering in complete sentences is a foundational tool to retaining
information. When students take time to answer by restating the question,
they are building clarity in thought and showing politeness. Answering with
complete sentences is good practice for standardized testing)
7. The teacher works with the students on the pronunciation of “Appalachian”.
/æpəˌleɪʃn/
8. The teacher corrects a grammar error by asking the students to make a choice.
 Pronunciation should be worked on right from the beginning of language
instruction. Self-correction facilitates language learning.
Like u saw from the demo, when the student speaks the wrong word /æpəˌleɪʃn/
the teacher fixes it immediately
Can u tell me why is it important to pronounce correctly?
(Pronunciation is vital to proper communication because the incorrect use of
pronunciation inevitably /ɪnˈevɪtəbli/ leads to the message misunderstood by
the recipient. By using the correct sounds when you speak, others can quickly
understand what you're trying to say -> help to improve speaking skills &
build confidence. Children's brains are like sponges /spʌndʒ/ – the more
vocabulary they are exposed to, the stronger their language and literacy skills
will be. It is important that pronunciation should be worked on right from the
beginning of language instruction so that they store it correctly in their
brains)
9. The teacher asks questions about the students; students ask each other
questions.
 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.
Why do we have to let students interact in class?
(The more we encourage students to communicate in class, the more
motivated they'll be. They'll see that they're accomplishing their goals even as
they're learning, and the success and achievement will make them readier to
learn. During communication, students and teachers are like partners of each
other, so students can freely express their opinions and they’ll become bolder)
10. The students fill in blanks with prepositions practiced in the lesson.
 Grammar should be taught inductively. There may never be an explicit
grammar rule given.
The teacher made the students fill in the blanks w prepositions so that she can
teach about the grammar, right? Why is grammar so important?
(Grammar lays the groundwork for effective communication. For example,
an improperly configured telephone wire can cause static during a phone
conversation, improper grammar can likewise affect the meaning and clarity
of an intended message. Knowledge of grammar helps students in the
correction of mistakes and improvement of written work, so grammar is
indispensable /ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl/ for the student.)
11. The teacher dictates /dɪkˈteɪt/ a paragraph about United States geography.
 Writing is an important skill to be developed from the beginning of language
instruction.
(Students need to start writing early because writing helps to cultivate
emotional growth, develop critical thinking skills and improve school
performance. It is the primary basis upon which one's learning and intellect
will be judged. Writing also makes our thinking and learning visible which
fosters our ability to explain and refine our ideas to others.
12. All of the lessons of the week involve United States geography.
 The syllabus is based on situations or topics, not usually on linguistic
structures.
(A syllabus lets students know what the course is about, why the course is
taught, where it is going, and what will be required for them to be successful
in the course. If the syllabus is subject to linguistic structure which is a
collection of the forms and structures, the students are just being taught
about grammar which made them just learn the formula of languages like the
machine and they can’t think by themselves. While if the syllabus is
dependent on the topics, our students can naturally acquire the language they
learn, they can effortlessly speak out loud their opinion about the situation.
In DM, we focus on speaking and listening skills, the more topics they learn,
the more skills they will develop
13. A proverb is used to discuss how people in the U.S. view punctuality.
 Learning another language also involves learning how speakers of that
language live.
(The proverb 'Time is money' means that earning money depends on the
management of time. How one manages his/her time will decide what progress
they make financially. Every moment should be utilized, doing the right
things, moving a step closer towards your goal, with each passing minute.
Learning a foreign language is not just only master that language, but you
also have to know more about their culture. Understanding different cultures
allows you to be more open, accepting, and tolerant of other people. ...
Understanding cultures which will help us overcome and prevent racial and
ethnic divisions is more than having an appreciation for our differences, but
paving the way for a new world where we all stand together.

After hearing me explain about the experience, I hope that u will understand
more about the DM and next NN will help u get to know further information
about the principle

QUESTIONS:
1. Which of the following is a characteristic of DM?
A. Students learn vocabulary when they are translated
B. The role of the teacher is of great importance since he asks questions to
students constantly and encourages them to participate in class. (key)
C. Reading and Writing are the primary skills they need to improve
D. Vocabulary and grammar are equally vital

2. Which statement is correct about DM?


A. Vocabulary is acquired more naturally if students use it in full sentences, rather
than memorizing word lists. (key)
B. The meaning of the target language is made clear by translating it into the
students' native language.
C. The teacher is the authority in the classroom.
D. There is much less attention given to speaking and listening

3. Which statement is wrong about DM?


A. The native language should be used in the classroom. (key)
B. The purpose of language learning is communication, so students need to learn
how to ask questions as well as answer them.
C. Pronunciation should be worked on right from the beginning of language
instruction. Self-correction facilitates language learning.
D. Grammar should be taught inductively. There may never be an explicit
grammar rule given.

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