TEACHING AND ASSESSING GRAMMAR
(English 6)
Lesson Title: DIRECT METHOD
Let’s Hit These:
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Contrast direct method with grammar translation method
Let’s Read:
Direct method is a method of teaching language directly establishing a direct or immediate
association between experience and expression, between the English word, phrase or idiom and
its meaning through demonstration, dramatization without the use of the mother tongue. The
Direct Method (or Natural Method) was developed as an antithesis to the popular grammar-
translation method, which many believed was failing in the goal of effective communication in a
second language.
Aims
1. Direct method aims to build a direct relation between experience and language, word and
idea, thought and expression.
2. This method intends that students learn how to communicate in the target language.
3. This method is based on the assumption that the learner should experience the new
language in the same way as his/her experienced his/her mother tongue.
Advantages
1. Facilitates understanding of language. Understanding of language becomes easier due to
the inhibition of the linguistic interferences of the mother tongue. It establishes the direct
bond and helps in understanding directly what he hears and reads.
2. Improves fluency of the speech. If the student gets fluency of speech it results in easy
writing and it tends to improve expression incomes speech and expression in writing, it is
the quickest way of learning and expanding vocabulary.
3. Aids reading The reading of language becomes easy and pleasant and helps in promoting
a habit of critical study.
4. Improves to develop language sense.
5. It emphasize on the target language, so it helps the pupil to express their thoughts and
feelings directly by the English without the usage of mother tongue
6. It helps in bringing the words of the passive vocabulary into active vocabulary.
7. It develops fluency of speech and facilitates reading and writing.
8. Facilitates alertness and participation of students.
Disadvantages
1. It isn’t economical as it requires various teaching aids.
2. Direct method is difficult as there is no use of mother language.
3. It requires competent teachers.
4. It gives overemphasis on listening and speaking skills.
5. It is suitable only for small classes.
Principles of Direct Method
1. Reading skill will be developed through practice with speaking. Language is primarily
speech. Culture consists of more than the fine arts (e.g. in this lesson we observed the
students studying geography and cultural values.
2. Objects (e.g., realia or pictures) present in the immediate classroom environment should be
used to help students understand the meaning.
3. The native language shouldn’t be used in the classroom.
4. The teacher should demonstrate, not explain or translate. It is desirable that students make a
direct association between the target language and meaning.
5. 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.
6. The purpose of language learning is communication (therefore, students need to learn how
to ask questions as well as answer them).
7. Pronunciation should be worked on right from the beginning of language instruction.
8. Self-correction facilitates language learning.
9. Lesson should contain some conversational activity—some opportunity for students to use
language in real contexts. Students should be encouraged to speak as much as possible. 10.
Grammar should be taught inductively. There may never be an explicit grammar rule given.
Tenets of Direct Method
Never translate: demonstrate
Never explain: act
Never make a speech: ask questions
Never imitate mistakes: correct
Never speak with single words: use sentences
Never speak too much: make students speak much
Never use the book; use your lesson plan
Never jump around: follow your plan
Never go too fast: keep the pace of the students
Never speak too slowly: speak normally
Never speak too quickly: speak naturally Never speak too loudly: speak naturally
Never be impatient: take it easy.
Classroom Activities
1. Reading aloud
2. Question and answer
3. Conversation practice
4. Fill-in-the blank
5. Dictation
6. Paragraph writing
Quiz:
Contrast the grammar translation method with the direct method in terms of the following:
1. aim in language teaching
2. use of native language
3. view of teaching grammar rules
4. skill given emphasis
References/Sources: [Link]
language-teaching [Link]
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