Mersin UniversityMersin UniversityFaculty of Science and LettersFaculty of Science and Letters

Department of English Language and LiteratureDepartment of English Language and Literature

THE DIRECT METHOD IN LANGUAGE TEACHINGTHE DIRECT METHOD IN LANGUAGE TEACHING

Soner KALANSoner KALANİsmail PİŞERİsmail PİŞER

Şenol BAKIRALŞenol BAKIRALErkan PATIBAYErkan PATIBAY

Soner İÇENSoner İÇENBurak ERGİNBurak ERGİN

İDB 422İDB 422Applied LinguisticsApplied Linguistics

Dr. Pınar İBE AKCANDr. Pınar İBE AKCAN

MersinMersinApril, 2012April, 2012

THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD

The Direct Method of language teaching is also called:

THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD

The Direct Method was developed by Maximilian Berlitz towards the end of the 19th century as a reaction to the Grammar Translation Method.

THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD

The Direct Method is named “direct” because meaning should be connected directly with the target language without translation into the native language.

THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD

Basically, the Direct Method aims to provide language learners with a practically useful knowledge of language. Knowing a language is being able to speak it.

THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD

This method argues that a foreign language can be taught without translation, unlike the argument of the Grammar-Translation Method.

THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD

Rather than translating the teaching material, the teacher is expected to directly use the target language in class because a language can best be taught by using it actively in the classroom.

THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD

The teacher should not explain but associate the meaning through action and demonstration.

THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD

In this way, learners will be able to induce grammar rules through examples, illustrations, and demonstrations.

THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD

This method replaces the textbook with teacher-student / student-student activities such as reading aloud, question-answer exercises, fill-in-the-blank exercises, etc.

THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD

Correct pronunciation is given careful attention in this method. In addition, new vocabulary is taught by using known words.

BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES

1. Classroom instruction is conducted exclusively in the target language. The teacher should demonstrate, not explain or translate.

NEVER TRANSLATE: DEMONSTRATE

BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES

2. Only everyday vocabulary and sentences are taught.

BASIC VOCABULARY IS GIVEN FIRST

BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES

3. Grammar is taught inductively. There may never be an explicit grammar rule given.

DO NOT GIVE RULES:MAKE THEM FIGURE OUT THE RULE.

BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES

4. New teaching points are introduced orally.

ORAL TRANSMISSION

BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES

5. Correct pronunciation and grammar are emphasized.

BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES

6. Both speech and listening comprehension are taught.

BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES

7. Vocabulary is taught through known words, demonstration, authentic objects (realia), pictures, and miming.

BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES

8. The teacher, by asking the student to make a choice, gets him to correct his own error.

LEARNING BY SELF-CORRECTION

BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES

9. The syllabus is based on situations or topics, not usually on linguistic structures.

CONTEXTUAL/TOPICAL TEACHING

BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES

10. Learning is not merely restricted with formal language knowledge; it also involves speaker conventions and descriptive usage.

NOT formal BUT NATURAL USE

BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES

11. 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.NOT memorization but PRODUCTION

BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES

12. The purpose of language learning is communication; therefore students need to learn how to ask questions as well as answer them.

COMMUNICATION-FIRST PRINCIPLE

TECHNIQUES IN THE DIRECT TECHNIQUES IN THE DIRECT METHODMETHOD

Reading aloud Question-answer exercise Student self-correction Conversation practice Fill-in-the-blank exercise Dictation

Direct Method Grammar translation method

In the direct method, the teacher provides the knowledge in grammar inductively through speaking.

The GTM focuses on grammar rules and their application. Language is learned through rules.

Grammar-Translation Method vs. Grammar-Translation Method vs. The Direct Method: A ComparisonThe Direct Method: A Comparison

in terms of GRAMMAR

Grammar-Translation Method vs. Grammar-Translation Method vs. The Direct Method: A ComparisonThe Direct Method: A Comparison

in terms of VOCABULARY

Direct Method Grammar translation method

The vocabulary is learned through practice every day.

The vocabulary is learned through direct translation of L1. Students learn vocabulary when they are translated.

Grammar-Translation Method vs. Grammar-Translation Method vs. The Direct Method: A ComparisonThe Direct Method: A Comparison

in terms of TEACHER ATTITUDE

Direct Method Grammar translation method

The role of the teacher is of great importance. He asks questions to students constantly, encourages them to participate in class and corrects their mistakes immediately.

The role of the teacher is not very active because he just limits his work to translate for the students.

Grammar-Translation Method vs. Grammar-Translation Method vs. The Direct Method: A ComparisonThe Direct Method: A Comparison

in terms of STUDENT ATTITUDE

Direct Method Grammar translation method

The students are very actives, their oral communication skills are emphasized, they have to speak a lot.

The accuracy from the students is expected and they have to practice by translation.

Grammar-Translation Method vs. Grammar-Translation Method vs. The Direct Method: A ComparisonThe Direct Method: A Comparison

in terms of LANGUAGE SKILLS

Direct Method Grammar translation method

Oral communication skills are built up in a carefully grade

Primary skills to be improved:Reading and writing.

APPLICATION OF THE DIRECT

METHOD