Direct Method, Basic Principles Advantages, Disadvantages
Good method makes teaching good. So a teacher has to be very choosy as far as
methods are concerned. There is a bunch of methods. Some of them are Grammar
Translation Method, Bilingual , Eclectic , Direct Method etc. In this blog post, we shall
talk about Direct Method, basic principles, advantages and disadvantages.
Direct method of teaching English means teaching English directly using target
language. Here the target language is English. A teacher doesnt use the mother
tongue in the class. Nor are the students allowed to use it. This method is totally in
contrast of Translation Method. A huge no of teachers are in favour of this method in
teaching English. Webster in New International Dictionary has written
Direct method is a method of teaching a foreign language, especially a modern
language through conversation, discussion and reading, in the language itself,
without the use of pupils language, without translation..
The teachers teach words by pointing to object or picture or by performing actions.
But some experts dont consider it a method at all. According to them, it s a
principle, system that operates through many methods.
Basic Principles of Direct Method
1. Direct relation between thought and words Using this method, a learner
things and speaks using the same medium.
2. Oral ( Speaking ) Practice This method emphasizes on oral practice for
everyone.
3. Functional Grammar This method doesnt put emphasis on theoretical
grammar. The main stress is on functional grammar.
4. No use of Mother Tongue There is the complete prohibition on the use of
mother tongue. Therefore, learners main focus is on learning the Foreign language.
5. Limited Vocabulary This method advocates the use of limited
vocabulary, daily-use words. The words must be from requirement or needs
of the learners.
6. Sentence as the unit of speech Here, the unit of speech is a
sentence. There is the emphasis on speaking the complete sentences.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Direct
Method
Advantages
1. The focus is on Oral Practice. Therefore, the pronunciation improves.
2. In teaching vocabulary such as words, idioms, this method is good.
3. As there is direct relation between thought and expression, it helps the
learners in having good fluency. Using direct method, a teacher helps
students having good command over English.
4. In this method, the teacher proceeds from particular to general and from
concrete to abstract.
5. It makes the teaching English easier and more pleasant. A teacher uses
various images/ pictures to illustrates his/her point.
6. This method creates the suitable environment for learning English
Language.
7. As the unit of speech in Direct Method is a sentence, students learn to
speak complete sentences without any hesitation. So they get confidence
with command over good English.
Disadvantages
1. Owing to over-emphasis on oral practice, the other skills namely reading
and writing are ignored to a great extent.
2. Average and below average students, especially from rural background,
find difficulty to grasp the things taught via this method.
3. This is an expensive method as the teacher is to use some aids for
teaching.
4. For this method, competent teachers must be there. But there is the
dearth of good English teachers in the country. Incompetent teachers cant
use this method successfully.
5. In the early stage of learning, this method is completely unsuccessful.
6. The background at home must also be foreign language friendly for this
method. The students whose parents can speak English well get more benefit
from this method.
Despite its shortcomings, this method is good. But the teacher must be able
to modify it for the benefit of the whole class.