Like Grammar Translation Method
(GTM), the idea of Direct Method is not at all new. It has been followed by the
teachers for many years. In fact;
“It is a method of teaching English directly by establishing direct association between the object and the language Symbol.”
The Direct Method attempts to teach a
foreign language directly without the involvement of native language. The
learner learns the new language under the same process through which he has learnt
his mother tongue.
PRINCIPLES OF DIRECT METHOD
1- Language is primarily speech. So, language learning
should be initiated by listening and speaking.
2- Pictures representing different scenes should be used
in the class-room to help the students understand the meanings.
3- The native language should not be used in the
class-room.
4- The leacher should demonstrate only. He should not
explain or translate.
5- Students should be forced to think only in the target
language.
6- Actual pronunciation should be stressed at the
initial stage of learning.
7- Lessons should contain some conversational activity. Students
should be encouraged to speak as much as possible.
8- Grammar should be taught inductively that is, from
known to unknown.
9- The unit of speech should be sentence not phoneme or
word. The learner should talk and think in sentences.
10- The purpose of language learning should be
communication.
ADVANTAGES OF DIRECT METHOD
1- A Natural Method
This method stresses on the natural
order of language learning and that is; listening, speaking, reading and
writing. However, much emphasis is laid on first two skills intentionally
ignoring the last two.
2- Fluency of Speech
More attention is laid on the oral
practice at the very initial stages. Therefore, it has been generally observed
that the students who follow the Direct Method are very fluent in speaking.
3- Improvement on Pronunciation
As the actual accent and pronunciation
is emphasized from the very beginning, the learners’ pronunciation is improved without
any deliberate effort on the part of the learner.
4- Facilitation in Writing
It goes without saying that clear
speaking makes writing clear. In fact, fluency of speech provides basis for
fluent writing. Though this method ignores the writing skill completely but
imperceptibly helps in enhancing the learner’s writing skill.
5- Facilitation in the Study of Literature
It is generally and frequently
believed that since the student acquires an ear for the language in Direct
Method, it facilitates the study of literature.
6- Charmful Learning
Due to the involvement of audio-visual
aids, this method makes the entire process of learning very interesting and
charming.
DISADVANTAGES OF DIRECT METHOD
1- An Incomplete Method
The Direct Method lays an extra
emphasis on speaking and thus ignores completely the reading and writing skills
which marks limited level of language learning.
2- Demand of Efficient Teacher
This method requires such rare teachers
who could be efficient enough to speak English near natives and be well versed
in the use of Audio-visual aids simultaneously.
3- Demand of Sharp Learners
Only the clever students can get profit
from his method. The learners, whose linguistic level works fast in accordance
with the target language, can only benefit from Direct Method.
4- Non Availability of Facilitation Material
The use of Direct Method is possible only
where gadgets of Audio-Visual aids are easily accessible. But grim fact is that
majority of our schools are running without minor A.V. Aids.
5- Over-Crowded Classes
Attention on each and every learner is must therefore, small classes are only compatible with this method. But, most of classes in our schools are packed with learners which hinders proper implementation of Direct Method.
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