THE DIRECT METHOD

1. DEFINITION

The direct method is a methodology for teaching languages that consists of making a visual
association. This Method is based on the direct involvement of the student when speaking, and
listening to, the foreign language in common everyday situations. Consequently, there is lots of
oral interaction, spontaneous use of the language, no translation, and little if any analysis of
grammar rules and syntax.

2. PURPOSE OF DIRECT METHOD:

The direct method was developed in response to the grammar translation method, which
involved very little spoken communication and listening comprehension. The primary objective
of the direct method was to teach L2 learners how to use language for communication
purposes.

3. CHARACTERISTICS:

-Lessons are in the target language

-There is a focus on everyday vocabulary

-Visual aids are used to teach vocabulary

-Particular attention is placed on the -accuracy of pronunciation and grammar

-A systematic approach is developed for comprehension and oral expression

4. ADVANTAGES AND DISAVANTAGES

Advantages

1. The focus is on Oral Practice. Therefore, the pronunciation improves.

2. In teaching vocabulary such as words, idioms, this method is good.

3. As there is a direct relation between thought and expression, it helps the learners in having
good fluency. Using direct methods, a teacher helps students have good command over
English.

4. In this method, the teacher proceeds from particular to general and from concrete to
abstract.

5. It makes teaching English easier and more pleasant. A teacher uses various images/ pictures
to illustrate his/her point.

6. This method creates the suitable environment for learning the English Language.

7. As the unit of speech in Direct Method is a sentence, students learn to speak complete
sentences without any hesitation. So they get confidence with command over good English.

Disadvantages:

1. Owing to over-emphasis on oral practice, the other skills namely reading and writing are
ignored to a great extent.
2. Average and below average students, especially from rural backgrounds, find difficulty to
grasp the things taught via this method.

3. This is an expensive method as the teacher is to use some aids for teaching.

4. For this method, competent teachers must be there. But there is the dearth of good English
teachers in the country. Incompetent teachers can’t use this method successfully.

5. In the early stage of learning, this method is completely unsuccessful.

6. The background at home must also be foreign language friendly for this method. The
students whose parents can speak English well get more benefit from this method.

5. ROLE OF TEACHER

In the direct method, the teacher must transfer meanings directly in the target language
through demonstrations and visual aids. In other words, this method involves teaching a
foreign language without translations and grammar studying.

6. ROLE OF STUDENT

In the direct method, students are active learners. They are active in exploring new words,
expression, etc. in target language. The students are also the observer and practitioner. In
direct method, the students observe the target language used by the teacher in teaching and
they try to get the meaning based on the demonstration given and then they will practice the
target language they observed and they use it to communicate with their friends and
teacher in classroom.

7. TECHNIQUES TO PUT THE “DIRECT METHOD” INTO PRACTICE

The goal of this language teaching method is for students to learn to think and communicate in
the language they are learning. To achieve this, the teacher will direct the activities to achieve
active participation in class and inductive learning of vocabulary and grammar.Algunas de las
técnicas habituales utilizadas para enseñar inglés a través del método directo son:

 Question and answer exercises guided by the teacher and in which the whole group of
students participates to practice oral skills.
 Reading aloud and dictating various texts to work on oral comprehension of the
language.
 Encouragement of self-correction: the teacher allows the student to respond again
before damaging a correction due to an error.
 Writing various types of texts so that students learn to function in different contexts
(personal letters, work emails, short essays...).

In teaching English through the direct method, the four skills necessary to master a language
(being able to read, write, understand and speak) are developed, although special emphasis is
placed on oral expression and pronunciation skills.

Bibliography

The Practice of English Language Teaching (Jeremy Harmer four edition)

https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator/direct-method-of-language-teaching/
https://andrealopez909.wordpress.com/2016/11/23/3-metodo-directo/#:~:text=Rol%20del
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