How to Teach Vocabulary using

the Direct Method Moh. Syahrul Zaky Romadhoni

Language Advisory Council

Pondok Pesantren Riyadlul UlumWadda’wah

2015

Why choosing the Direct Method

• Suitable for beginners

• Emphasizes on speaking

• Using the target language

Principles of the Direct Method

• Classroom instruction was conducted exclusively in thetarget language.

• Only everyday vocabulary and sentences were taught.

• Oral communication skills were built up in carefullygraded progression organized around question-and-answer exchanges between teachers and students insmall, intensive classes.

• Grammar was taught inductively.

• New teaching points were introduced orally.

Principles …

• Concrete vocabulary was taught throughdemonstration, objects, and pictures; abstractvocabulary was taught by association of ideas.

• Both speech and listening comprehension weretaught.

• Correct pronunciation and grammar wereemphasized.

• Self-correction facilitates language learning.Adopted from: Jack C. Richards and Theodore

S. Rodgers (2002), Dianne Larsen-Freeman (2000

Teaching Procedures

1. The teacher tells the word fluently and clearlyand asks the students to repeat.

2. The teacher writes down the word on the board.

3. The teacher asks the students a questionwhether they understand the word.

4. Upon finding the students who haveunderstood the word, the teacher asks them totell the meaning or to put it in a sentence as ameans of ensuring their understanding.

5. The teacher follows these steps when they findno students understand the meaning of theword; Using visual teaching aids

o The realiao The picture or the sketcho Body movement

Using the languageo Putting a sentence showing the meaningo Putting another sentenceo Giving example, definition or explanation

Teaching …

Teaching …

6. The teacher may ask some students to put aword in a sentence, if possible. This procedureis not suggested for all words.

7. The teacher may translate the word when theyfind the students hard to understand, withfollowing these conditions; The teacher repeat the target word for many

times till the students own it. The teacher should not repeat the Indonesian

word.

Some Constraints

• Teacher’s competency in using the target language

• Student’s readiness in putting the word in sentences.

• The availability of the teaching aids

Thank You

Alhamdulillah