THE DIRECT METHOD
As you know from the previous blog, new method arose and it was Direct Method.
In Direct Method, teachers refrain from using the learners’ native language and uses only the target language. It is kind of like mirroring the way a child learns their first language.
In this method, language can be learnt only through demonstration.It is learned inductively as grammar isn’t explicitly taught in the Direct Method. There is no translation in the class and grammar is taught indirectly. As their native languages are used minimally or almost never, students gradually begin to think and communicate in the target language and only everyday vocabulary are taught. The Direct Method prioritises listening and speaking skills. Interaction between teacher-student and student-student is important.
There are some important tecniques in this method. One of them is the students are given an opportunity to ask their own questions and the other one is the students correct themselves if they make a mistake. So it helps students to understand what they are doing wrong and it reflects students understanding of the subjects. Pronunciation is important so that’s why it is corrected immediately.
Even though speaking and listening skills mostly dominate the method, writing and reading skills also play an important role.
But in spite of its great achievements, at some point the direct method was not supported by educators. It was because public scools couldn’t integrate it well because of budget, classroom size and lack of time. So all these reasons led another method, Audio-Lingual Method.