The Direct method

The direct method of teaching, sometimes called the natural method. Not limited to but often used in teaching foreign languages, the method refrains from using the learners' native language and uses only the target language.

Characteristic features of the direct method are:

• teaching concepts and vocabulary through pantomiming and other visual materials
• teaching grammar by using an approach (i.e. having learners find out rules through the presentation of adequate linguistic forms in the target language)
• centrality of spoken language (including a native-like pronunciation)
• focus on question-answer patterns.

Historical Context

The direct method was an answer to the dissatisfaction with the older the grammar translation method which teaches students grammar and vocabulary through direct translations and thus focuses on the written language. There was an attempt to set up conditions that imitate mother tongue acquisition, which is why the beginnings of these attempts were called the natural method.

At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, Sauveur and Franke proposed that language teaching should be undertaken within the target-language system, which was the first stimulus for the rise of the direct method. The Harvard psychologist Roger Brown has documented similar problems with strict Direct Method techniques. He described his frustration in observing a teacher performing verbal gymnastics in an attempt to convey the meaning of Japanese words, when translation would have been a much more efficient technique to use.

 Advantages of Direct Method

There are many advantages of direct method.

Firstly, it makes the learning of English interesting

Secondly, it is an activity method facilitating alertness and participation of the pupils.

 This serves as a strong foundation of further learning.

This  method also can be usefully employed from the lowest to the highest class.

Disadvantages of Direct Method

There are many disadvantages of direct method.

Firstly, there are many abstract words which cannot be interpreted directly in English

and much time and energy are wasted in making attempts for the purpose.

This method is based on the principles that auditory appeal is stronger that visual.

The method ignores systematic written work and reading activities

This is  sufficient attention is not paid to reading and writing.

This method also may not hold well in higher classes where the Translation Method is found suitable.