Language teachingLesson 5 of 5 in the course Communicative approach

Direct Method in Language Teaching: Principles, Techniques, and Trade-offs

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

Save course
Lesson progress
0 / 5

Your progress is kept in this browser only.Sign up to save it

Summary

The direct method is a way of teaching a language through the language being learned, rather than translating through learners’ native language. This lesson introduces its defining ideas, historical background, and core principles.

The direct method, also known as the natural method, aims to establish an immediate connection between the target language and meaning. Teachers use the target language in classroom instruction and avoid relying on learners’ native language or translation. Meaning is communicated through context, objects, pictures, gestures, demonstrations, and interaction.

All flashcards

What is the direct method?
A language-teaching approach that uses the target language directly to connect expressions with meanings and experiences, avoiding reliance on learners’ native language.
Why is the method called natural?
It seeks to create meaningful experiences with a new language that resemble aspects of how a child connects first-language words with people, objects, actions, and situations.
What approach did the direct method react against?
It developed partly in response to the grammar–translation method, which emphasized written language, grammar study, and translation.
What does inductive grammar teaching involve?
Learners examine examples and use them in context, then infer grammatical patterns instead of beginning with translated rules.
How are concrete and abstract vocabulary taught?
Concrete vocabulary is demonstrated with objects, pictures, or gestures; abstract vocabulary is taught through associations of ideas and context.

Quiz questions

  1. In the direct method, what does a teacher do after a learner makes a mistake?Answer: Give the learner an opportunity to notice and correct the mistake, with guidance if needed.
  2. What information does a Special Attention List record?Answer: Words or phrases that are particularly difficult for an individual learner.
  3. What is one risk of the direct method’s strong oral emphasis if teachers do not plan carefully?Answer: Systematic reading and writing practice may receive too little attention.
  4. What approximate share of a lesson is one stated guideline for students to spend speaking?Answer: About 80 percent.
  5. What does the direct method require of teachers when explaining meaning without translation?Answer: Skill and preparation to use context, demonstrations, and other supports effectively.

Based on the Wikipedia article Direct method (education), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

More in Language teaching

All Language teaching lessons
Language teachingCommunicative Language Teaching: Principles, Activities, and Critiques5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Language teachingContent and Language Integrated Learning: Aims, Evidence, and Related Approaches5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Language teachingLanguage Proficiency: Skills, Development, and Assessment5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Language teachingTask-Based Language Teaching: Tasks, Lesson Design, and Learning Theory5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Language teachingCritical Period Hypothesis: Theories, Evidence, and Second-Language Learning5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Language teachingKrashen’s Five Hypotheses: Input, Monitoring, Affect, and Teaching5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →