A brief summary of the Direct Method of language teaching

1. The Direct Method
No Translation Allowed!

2. Are you familiar with the Berlitz
Method or Berlitz language learning
centers or materials? If so, that is
the same as the Direct Method.
About

3. Developed in the 1890’s in reaction
to the Grammar-Translation Method
Therefore no translation is allowed
since GTM did not teach students
how to use the language. With DM,
the purpose of language is to
communicate.
Purpose

4. Guiding Principles of DM
● The purpose of language is to communicate
● Translation should not be used
● Students need to learn how to think in the target language
● Reading and writing are taught via speaking
● Language is learned by connecting form (grammar) and meaning
● Correctness is valued
● Vocabulary is learned in context (not in isolated word lists)
● Students learn via self-correction
● Grammar is best learned inductively (rules not given; they are discovered)

5. What does a DM classroom look like?
● Teachers use only the target language in class
○ Teachers demonstrate meaning by using realia and pictures and by miming
● Teacher-student and student-student activities used
○ Reading aloud, Q/A exercises, conversation practice, dictation, fill-in-the-blank exercises
● Lessons organized around topics and everyday language needs
● Teachers point out errors and directs students to self-correct
● Class is active with teacher and students talking and interacting