Basic Principles, Techniques, Comparison with Grammar-Translation

1. Mersin University
Faculty of Science and Letters
Department of English Language and Literature
THE DIRECT METHOD IN LANGUAGE TEACHING
Soner KALAN
İsmail PİŞER
Şenol BAKIRAL
Erkan PATIBAY
Soner İÇEN
Burak ERGİN
İDB 422
Applied Linguistics
Dr. Pınar İBE AKCAN
Mersin
April, 2012

2. THE DIRECT METHOD
The Direct Method of language
teaching is also called:

3. THE 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.

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

5. THE 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.

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

7. THE 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.

8. THE DIRECT METHOD
The teacher should not explain but
associate the meaning through action
and demonstration.

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

10. THE 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.

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

12. BASIC PRINCIPLES
1. Classroom instruction is conducted
exclusively in the target language.
The teacher should demonstrate, not
explain or translate.
NEVER TRANSLATE:
DEMONSTRATE

13. BASIC PRINCIPLES
2. Only everyday vocabulary and
sentences are taught.
BASIC VOCABULARY IS GIVEN
FIRST

14. BASIC 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.

15. BASIC PRINCIPLES
4. New teaching points are introduced
orally.
ORAL TRANSMISSION

16. BASIC PRINCIPLES
5. Correct pronunciation and grammar
are emphasized.

17. BASIC PRINCIPLES
6. Both speech and listening
comprehension are taught.

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

19. BASIC PRINCIPLES
8. The teacher, by asking the student
to make a choice, gets him to correct
his own error.
LEARNING BY SELF-CORRECTION

20. BASIC PRINCIPLES
9. The syllabus is based on situations
or topics, not usually on linguistic
structures.
CONTEXTUAL/TOPICAL
TEACHING

21. BASIC PRINCIPLES
10. Learning is not merely restricted
with formal language knowledge; it
also involves speaker conventions
and descriptive usage.
NOT formal BUT NATURAL USE

22. BASIC 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

23. BASIC 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

24. TECHNIQUES IN THE DIRECT
METHOD
 Reading aloud
 Question-answer exercise
 Student self-correction
 Conversation practice
 Fill-in-the-blank exercise
 Dictation

25. Grammar-Translation Method vs.
The Direct Method: A Comparison
in terms of GRAMMAR
Direct Method Grammar translation
method
In the direct method, the The GTM focuses on grammar
teacher provides the rules and their application.
knowledge in grammar Language is learned through
inductively through speaking. rules.

26. Grammar-Translation Method vs.
The Direct Method: A Comparison
in terms of VOCABULARY
Direct Method Grammar translation
method
The vocabulary is learned The vocabulary is learned
through practice every day. through direct translation of
L1. Students learn vocabulary
when they are translated.

27. Grammar-Translation Method vs.
The Direct Method: A Comparison
in terms of TEACHER ATTITUDE
Direct Method Grammar translation
method
The role of the teacher is of The role of the teacher is not
great importance. He asks very active because he just
questions to students limits his work to translate for
constantly, encourages them the students.
to participate in class and
corrects their mistakes
immediately.

28. Grammar-Translation Method vs.
The Direct Method: A Comparison
in terms of STUDENT ATTITUDE
Direct Method Grammar translation
method
The students are very actives, The accuracy from the
their oral communication skills students is expected and they
are emphasized, they have to have to practice by
speak a lot. translation.

29. Grammar-Translation Method vs.
The Direct Method: A Comparison
in terms of LANGUAGE SKILLS
Direct Method Grammar translation
method
Oral communication skills are Primary skills to be improved:
built up in a carefully grade Reading and writing.

30. APPLICATION OF
THE DIRECT
METHOD