DIRECT METHOD
By
G S Prasad
DIRECT METHOD
Direct Method is also called as Natural Method
(here, the order of teaching is LSRW) or Reformed
Method.
It was introduced as a reaction to the demerits of
Translation Method.
Here, the learner learns a new L in a natural manner
like his Mother Tongue.
This method establishes direct or immediate
association between experience and expression
among the E word, phrase or idiom and meaning.
DIRECT METHOD
DirectMethod is a method of teaching a foreign L,
especially a modern L through conversation,
discussion and reading in the L itself without use
of the pupil’s L, without translation and without
the study of formal grammar. Here, the first words
are taught by pointing to objects or pictures or by
performing actions.
FEATURES OF DIRECT METHOD
Translation in any form, use of Mother Tongue and
use of the bilingual Dictionary is banished here.
Grammar is taught inductively.
Oral teaching precedes any from of reading and
writing.
Pronunciation is to be taught systematically on
phonetic lines.
There should be a direct bond between experience
and expression.
The meanings of words or forms are taught by means
of objects or by natural context.
The Direct Method suggests that students should
think directly in E.
PRINCIPLES OF DIRECT METHOD
There are 5 Principles in this method…..
1. Oral Practice.
2. The unit of Speech is a Sentence not a
word.
3. Inhibition of Mother Tongue.
4. Inductive teaching of Grammar
5. Progressive teaching of new
vocabulary
PRINCIPLES OF DIRECT METHOD
1. Oral Practice
This method emphasizes on Oral
Teaching.
Thorough drilling is given to the pupils for
Listening, Imitating and Speaking. In this
way, the learner picks up fluency in
speech.
Knowledge of phonetics is also given.
Thus they acquire good pronunciation.
PRINCIPLES OF DIRECT METHOD
2.The unit of Speech is a Sentence
not a word.
3. Inhibition (non-use) of Mother
Tongue.
4. Inductive teaching of Grammar
PRINCIPLES OF DIRECT METHOD
5. Progressive teaching of new vocabulary
New vocabulary is taught after careful
selection and gradation.
The words and phrases are taught at
definite stages through spoken language.
Thus teaching of vocabulary is progressive.
New words are taught by pointing to objects
or pictures.
ADVANTAGES:
1. The Method is Psychologically Sound:
It follows the main principles of education viz.,
"Proceed from particular to general, proceed from
concrete to the abstract and practice must precede
theory". Also, the unit of teaching is not a word but a
sentence not the part but whole.
2. It is a Natural Method:
In the Direct method, the order of teaching is listening,
speaking, reading and writing. This is the natural
order of learning a language. This method makes use
of demonstration and conversation.
ADVANTAGES:
3. It begets fluency of speech:
A lot of attention is paid to oral training in this
method. The students acquire fluency of speech. Direct
association between word and meaning tends to
improve expression of speech. Macnee believes that the
Direct Method is the quickest way of learning and expanding
vocabulary.
4. It aids written work: Fluency of speech leads to
ease in writing. If a student can express himself
clearly in speaking, he can express himself in writing
as well.
5.It facilitates thinking in English: The inhibition
of mother tongue creates a direct bond between idea
and expression. The pupil mind goes straight from the
English word to its meaning.
ADVANTAGES:
6. It makes use of Audio Visual Aids:
It's technique requires alertness and activity on the
part of both teacher and the taught. The use of objects,
pictures and models, other illustrations, activities,
demonstrations, T.V., Radio, Computer etc., makes the
lesson more interesting and real.
7. It facilitates the Study of Literature:
It imparts a feeling for language. It aims at the
practical command of English at lower stage but at the
higher stage it aims to develop a critical study and
thus facilitates the study of literature.
8. It bridges the gap between active and the
passive knowledge.
LIMITATIONS
1. Too much emphasis on speaking.
It neglects reading and writing.
2. It aims at the active command of a
language.
This makes its learning more difficult.
Dr.Berton says, that "only the clever child can
profit by this method".
3. It demands specially qualified teachers.
Only that teacher can work on this method
successfully who is good at English.
4. This method reduces the importance of
love for mother tongue.
LIMITATIONS
5. Expensive method.
The cost of equipment which this method involves is
too heavy for the Indian Schools.
6. Enough space for activities is required
This method require enough space for the free and
independent activities of the teacher and the taught.
Bur our class rooms are over crowded and hence this
method cannot be used successfully.
7. English atmosphere in the class
This is almost impossible in an average Indian
School. Hence it is impracticable in Indian Schools.
LIMITATIONS
8. Grammar is to be taught inductively
Such readers in which the reading material
and grammar are closely related are not
available. Therefore it is not put into practice.
9. Use of Audio-Visual Aids
These are not available in majority of the
Schools.
THANK YOU
Dr. G Surya Prasad
