3. #Direct method of teaching English came from France in 1901.
# It originated as a reaction to the grammar translation method.
#As it is an oldest method of teaching which mainly focus on
grammatical explanation and translation of a language pattern
without purpose for which the language pattern is to be taught to
the students.
#And the direct method focused on giving practical knowledge of
English language to the students.
4. #Direct method, also known natural method because
the students learn English in a natural way.
# Students learn association of words and sentences
with their meaning through demonstration,
dramatization, role play and some other activities
without using mother tongue.
# So there is no interference of other language in the
form of translation.
5. TRANSLATION IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM IS BANISHED FROM THE CLASSROOM, INCLUDING THE USE OF THE MOTHER-TONGUE
AND OF THE BILINGUAL DICTIONARY.
1.
2. GRAMMAR, WHEN IT IS TAUGHT, IS TAUGHT INDUCTIVELY.
3. ORAL TEACHING PRECEDES ANY FORM OF READING AND WRITING.
4. THE USE OF DISCONNECTED SENTENCES IS REPLACED BY THE USE OF CONNECTED TEXTS.
5. PRONUNCIATION IS TO BE TAUGHT SYSTEMATICALLY ON MORE OR LESS PHONETIC BASIS. THE MEANINGS OF NEW WORDS AND
FORMS ARE TAUGHT BY MEANS OF DIRECT OBJECTS, ACTIONS OR IN NATURAL CONTEXTS.
6. THE VOCABULARY AND STRUCTURES OF THE LANGUAGE ARE INCULCATED TO A LARGE EXTENT BY QUESTIONS ASKED BY THE TEACHER AND ANSWERED BY THE PUPILS.
NATURES
6. Merits of direct method
1 Natural method: It is a natural method of teaching because in this method students learn English
in the same way as they learn mother tongue. The language is taught through various activities,
demonstration conversation in the context.
2 It facilitates understanding of English: In this method the learner acquires the ability to
understand directly; what he hears or reads in English. There is a direct association between
objects or English words and its meaning which facilitate better understanding of English.
3 Fluency of speech: This method emphasis on aural-oral words. There is not intervention of
mother tongue, so students think in English. Therefore, he finds himself self-confident and easy to
express his thought in speech and writing. Students learning English through this method
converse in English with great fluency.
7. 4. ENGLISH IS TAUGHT IN THE MEDIUM OF ENGLISH AND NOT IN THE MEDIUM OF THE MOTHER-TONGUE.
5. THE CHILD GETS MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO LISTEN TO SPOKEN ENGLISH. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR LANGUAGE MASTERY.
6. THE DIRECT METHOD FOLLOWS THE NATURAL WAY OF LEARNING A LANGUAGE. THE CHILD LISTENS AND SPEAKS. HE ACQUIRES
FLUENCY IN ENGLISH SPEECH.
7. THE DIRECT METHOD LAYS STRESS ON ORAL WORK. THE CHILD GETS TO IMPROVE HIS SPEECH HABITS, INCLUDING
PRONUNCIATION.
8. THE DIRECT METHOD HELPS THE CHILD TO THINK IN ENGLISH WITHOUT THE AID OF THE MOTHER-TONGUE. THIS STRENGTHENS HIS
ABILITY OF SELF-EXPRESSION.
8. 1. The method is no doubt, very useful for the early stage. It does not work well in higher classes. Certain aspects
of language-study are neglected. It is an incomplete method.
2. Speech is given importance at the cost of reading and writing.
3. Every teacher cannot be expected to teach with the Direct Method. It requires teachers who are skilled in
handling language material.
4. It is an expensive method. Aids have an important place in this method. But many schools cannot afford to buy
such aids as projector, linguaphone, etc.
5. The method is more suitable for small-sized classes. In Indian schools, we have over-crowded classes. The use of
the method may give out undesirable results.
6. All vocabulary items cannot be taught through direct association. The teacher may feel some difficulty when he
wants to explain the difference between, say, ‘beautiful’ and ‘pretty’.
DEMERITS
9. 7. The success of the Direct Method depends upon Direct Method Readers. But such Readers are not available.
8. It is likely to prove a time-consuming method. Indian students have weak language sense or weak background. They will pose to have understood what is
taught when actually they have not.
9. It lays stress on student’s command on language without systematic reading lessons and written work.
Conclusion.
Though the Direct Method has a number of drawbacks, yet it is a useful method. Its use has shown very good results, especially in case of beginners. Start
with oral work, drill and graded structures and you prepare a sound language background for the learner.
