Direct Method

1. Characteristics

1.1. Language is learned inductively

1.2. Speaking and listening are priorities

1.3. Only the target language is used

1.4. Demonstration is important, not explanation or translation

1.5. Grammar rules are not important

1.6. Pronunciation is important from the start

2. Common activities

2.1. Question-answer. The teacher asks questions and rephrases students’ answers so that they can self-correct.

2.2. Dictation. The teacher chooses a graded text and reads it aloud.

2.3. Reading aloud. Students take turns reading a passage or dialogue aloud.

2.4. Conversation practice. Students ask questions to the teacher or other students.

3. Advantages

3.1. English is taught in the medium of English and not in the medium of the mother-tongue.

3.2. Students get many opportunities to listen to spoken English

3.3. It follows the natural way of learning a language.

3.4. It helps the students to think in English without the aid of the mother-tongue.

3.5. The students improve his speech habits, including pronunciation.

3.6. There is an ample scope for the use of audio-visual aids

4. Role of students

4.1. Active learner

4.2. Observer

4.3. Practitioner

5. Origins

5.1. Developed in the 19th century as a response to the Grammar-Translation method

6. Principles

6.1. Establishing a direct bond between English word, phrase or idiom, and its meaning.

6.2. Oral teaching comes before any other kind of reading and writing activities.

6.3. Use of realia to teach concrete vocabulary. Abstract vocabulary is taught through association if ideas.

7. Disadvantages

7.1. It's more suitable for small-sized classes

7.2. Speech is given importance at the cost of reading and writing.

7.3. All vocabulary items cannot be taught through direct association

7.4. This is an expensive method

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

8. Role of teachers

8.1. Demonstrator

8.2. Facilitator

8.3. Partner

8.4. Monitor

9. References

9.1. https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/direct-method

9.2. Direct Method, Basic Principles - Advantages, Disadvantages

9.3. The Direct Method

9.4. Teach by Talking: 5 Direct Method Techniques That Let Students Learn Like Natives

9.5. The Direct Method - Language Journeys Blog

9.6. Features of The direct method of teaching language

9.7. Direct Method as One of Language Teaching Approaches