The Direct Method

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Background

It became popular since the Grammar

Translation Method was not very effective

in preparing students to use the target

language communicatively.

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Introduction to the Direct Method

What is the goal of using the Direct Method?

What is the basic rule in the Direct Method? Why is it called by this name?

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1.The instructional goal is learning how to use a foreign language to communicate.

2.The basic rule is that no translation is allowed in the classroom and meaning is to be conveyed directly in the target language through the use of demonstration and visual aids.

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The observed class…

Level of students: Low intermediate.

No. of students: 30.

Class duration: 1hr/ thrice a week.

Setting: Italy.

Mother tongue: not mentioned.

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The Direct Method in the classroom- 1

1. The teacher places a big map of the united States in the front of the classroom.

►Visual aid

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The Direct Method in the classroom- 2

2. At the beginning of the class, the teacher asks

students to read aloud a passage about the United

States geography first and he points to a part of

the map after each sentence is read.

► Reading skill will be developed through the practice with speaking.

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The Direct Method in the classroom- 3

3. Then the teacher uses the target language to ask students if they have any question. If the students have some, they are asked to use the target language to ask the teacher, too.

►The native language is prohibited.

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The Direct Method in the classroom- 4

4. The teacher answers the students’ questions by drawing on the blackboard or giving examples.

►No explanation & translation.

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The Direct Method in the classroom- 5

5. The teacher asks questions about the map in the target language and the students are asked to reply in a full sentence in the target language, too.

►students should answer in full sentences.

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The Direct Method in the classroom- 6

6. The teacher encourages his students to ask questions about the map.

►Communication.

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The Direct Method in the classroom- 7

7. The teacher will work with students on their wrong pronunciation, and he will also help them to correct grammar errors by asking them questions to let them choose.

►Self-correction.

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The Direct Method in the classroom- 8

8. The students are asked to practice using prepositions in the lesson by filling in blanks because the teacher won’t directly teach explicit grammar rules to them.

►Grammar be taught inductively.

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The Direct Method in the classroom- 9

9. In order to develop students’ writing abilities, the teacher dictates a paragraph about the geography of the United States.

►Writing is an important skill.

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The Direct Method in the classroom- 10

10. All of the lessons of the week involve the geography of the United States.

►Syllabus focus on situations or topics.

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The Direct Method in the classroom- 11

11 .A proverb is used to discuss in the classroom in order to help students learn how speakers of that language live.

►Learning culture.

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The Principles - 1

What are the goals of the Direct Method?

► to communicate in the target language.

► to think in the target language.

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The Principles - 2

What is the role of the teacher and the students?

► Partners. ► Students are more active (than GTM).

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The Principles - 3 What are some characteristics of

teaching/learning process?

► Demonstrate the meaning by using realia, pictures, or

gesture (no translation).

► The syllabus is based on situations or topics. (as if students

were in real situations).

► Grammar is taught inductively, no explicit grammar rule.

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The Principles - 4 What is the nature of student-teacher

interaction? What is the nature of student-student

interaction?

► The interaction goes both ways, from teacher to students and from students to teacher.

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The Principles - 5

How are the feelings of students dealt with?

► There are no principles of the method which is related to this area.

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The Principles - 6

How is language viewed? How is culture viewed?

► Language is primarily spoken, not written.

► Culture consists of history, geography, and the daily lives.

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The Principles - 7

What areas of language are emphasised?

► Vocabulary is emphasised over grammar.

► Oral communication → reading → writing.

► Pronunciation receives attention at the beginning.

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The Principles - 8

What is the role of the students’ native language?

► Native language is not allowed.

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The Principles - 9

How is evaluation accomplished?

► Students are asked to use the language, not to demonstrate their knowledge about the language.

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The Principles - 10

How does the teacher respond to students’ errors?

► The teacher tries to get students to self-correct.

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The techniques - 1

Reading aloud

► Students take turns reading. At the end of each student’s turn, the teacher uses gestures, pictures, realia, examples, or other means to make the meaning clear.

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The techniques - 2

Question and answer exercise

►Only in target language.

► Students ask questions and answer in full sentences.

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The techniques - 3

Getting students to self-correct

► By asking them to make a choice.

► Using a questioning voice.

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The techniques - 4

Conversation practice

► Teacher asks students some questions in the target language.

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The techniques - 5

Fill-in-the-blank exercise

► All the items are in the target language.

► No explicit grammar rule would be applied.

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The techniques - 6

Dictation

► Teacher reads the passage 3 times.

► normal speed.

► phrase by phrase with pausing long.

► normal speed again.

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The techniques - 6

Paragraph writing

► Teacher asks students to write a paragraph in their own words relying on their memory or they can use the reading passage in the lesson as a model.

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Summary

Teachers’ RoleTeachers’ Role

The role of the teachers are to direct class activities, encourage students to participate

in class and corrects their mistakes immediately.

Students’ RoleStudents’ Role

Students are very active. Oral communication skills are emphasised, there

is a large amount of Learner-Learner interaction.

What areas of lang. What areas of lang. Are emphasised?Are emphasised?

Vocabulary, oral communication, pronunciation

Use of L1Use of L1 It shouldn’t be used in the classroom.

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Comparison

Grammar Translation Method Direct Method

Develop students skills in grammar, reading, vocabulary and

translation.

Attempting to teach foreign languages in a way that was more similar to first language acquisition.

Classes are thought in mother tongue.

Classes are thought in target tongue.

Grammar is taught deductively. Grammar is taught inductively.

Little or no attention is given to pronunciation.

Correct pronunciation is emphasised

The role of the teacher is not very active because they just limit their work to translate for the students.

The role of the teacher is very important, they encourage students to participate in class and correct their mistakes. 35

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