The Direct Method was developed in the late 19th century as an alternative to the Grammar Translation Method. It teaches language through using the target language directly without translation, focusing on oral skills, vocabulary learning through demonstration, and inductive grammar instruction. The teacher's role is to ask questions and encourage participation, while students learn through activities like reading aloud and self-correction.

1. Mersin UniversityMersin University
Faculty of Science and LettersFaculty of Science and Letters
Department of English Language and LiteratureDepartment of English Language and Literature
THE DIRECT METHOD IN LANGUAGE TEACHINGTHE DIRECT METHOD IN LANGUAGE TEACHING
Soner KALANSoner KALAN
İsmail PİŞERİsmail PİŞER
Şenol BAKIRALŞenol BAKIRAL
Erkan PATIBAYErkan PATIBAY
Soner İÇENSoner İÇEN
Burak ERGİNBurak ERGİN
İDB 422İDB 422
Applied LinguisticsApplied Linguistics
Dr. Pınar İBE AKCANDr. Pınar İBE AKCAN
MersinMersin
April, 2012April, 2012

2. THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD
The Direct Method of language
teaching is also called:

3. THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD
The Direct Method was developed by
Maximilian Berlitz towards the end of
the 19th century as a reaction to the
Grammar Translation Method.

4. THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD
The Direct Method is named “direct”
because meaning should be
connected directly with the target
language without translation into the
native language.

5. THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD
Basically, the Direct Method aims
to provide language learners with a
practically useful knowledge of
language. Knowing a language is
being able to speak it.

6. THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD
This method argues that a foreign
language can be taught without
translation, unlike the argument of
the Grammar-Translation Method.

7. THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD
Rather than translating the teaching
material, the teacher is expected to
directly use the target language in
class because a language can best be
taught by using it actively in the
classroom.

8. THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD
The teacher should not explain but
associate the meaning through action
and demonstration.

9. THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD
In this way, learners will be able to
induce grammar rules through
examples, illustrations, and
demonstrations.

10. THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD
This method replaces the textbook
with teacher-student / student-
student activities such as reading
aloud, question-answer exercises,
fill-in-the-blank exercises, etc.

11. THE DIRECT METHODTHE DIRECT METHOD
Correct pronunciation is given careful
attention in this method. In addition,
new vocabulary is taught by using
known words.

12. BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES
1. Classroom instruction is conducted
exclusively in the target language.
The teacher should demonstrate, not
explain or translate.
NEVER TRANSLATE:
DEMONSTRATE

13. BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES
2. Only everyday vocabulary and
sentences are taught.
BASIC VOCABULARY IS GIVEN
FIRST

14. BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES
3. Grammar is taught inductively.
There may never be an explicit
grammar rule given.
DO NOT GIVE RULES:
MAKE THEM FIGURE OUT THE
RULE.

15. BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES
4. New teaching points are introduced
orally.
ORAL TRANSMISSION

16. BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES
5. Correct pronunciation and grammar
are emphasized.

17. BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES
6. Both speech and listening
comprehension are taught.

18. BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES
7. Vocabulary is taught through known
words, demonstration, authentic
objects (realia), pictures, and
miming.

19. BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES
8. The teacher, by asking the student
to make a choice, gets him to correct
his own error.
LEARNING BY SELF-CORRECTION

20. BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES
9. The syllabus is based on situations
or topics, not usually on linguistic
structures.
CONTEXTUAL/TOPICAL
TEACHING

21. BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES
10. Learning is not merely restricted
with formal language knowledge; it
also involves speaker conventions
and descriptive usage.
NOT formal BUT NATURAL USE

22. BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES
11. Students should learn to think in
the target language as soon as
possible. Vocabulary is acquired
more naturally if students use it in
full sentences, rather than
memorizing word lists.
NOT memorization but
PRODUCTION

23. BASIC PRINCIPLESBASIC PRINCIPLES
12. The purpose of language learning
is communication; therefore students
need to learn how to ask questions
as well as answer them.
COMMUNICATION-FIRST
PRINCIPLE

24. TECHNIQUES IN THE DIRECTTECHNIQUES IN THE DIRECT
METHODMETHOD
 Reading aloud
 Question-answer exercise
 Student self-correction
 Conversation practice
 Fill-in-the-blank exercise
 Dictation

25. Direct Method Grammar translation
method
In the direct method, the
teacher provides the
knowledge in grammar
inductively through speaking.
The GTM focuses on grammar
rules and their application.
Language is learned through
rules.
Grammar-Translation Method vs.Grammar-Translation Method vs.
The Direct Method: A ComparisonThe Direct Method: A Comparison
in terms of GRAMMAR

26. Grammar-Translation Method vs.Grammar-Translation Method vs.
The Direct Method: A ComparisonThe Direct Method: A Comparison
in terms of VOCABULARY
Direct Method Grammar translation
method
The vocabulary is learned
through practice every day.
The vocabulary is learned
through direct translation of
L1. Students learn vocabulary
when they are translated.

27. Grammar-Translation Method vs.Grammar-Translation Method vs.
The Direct Method: A ComparisonThe Direct Method: A Comparison
in terms of TEACHER ATTITUDE
Direct Method Grammar translation
method
The role of the teacher is of
great importance. He asks
questions to students
constantly, encourages them
to participate in class and
corrects their mistakes
immediately.
The role of the teacher is not
very active because he just
limits his work to translate for
the students.

28. Grammar-Translation Method vs.Grammar-Translation Method vs.
The Direct Method: A ComparisonThe Direct Method: A Comparison
in terms of STUDENT ATTITUDE
Direct Method Grammar translation
method
The students are very actives,
their oral communication skills
are emphasized, they have to
speak a lot.
The accuracy from the
students is expected and they
have to practice by
translation.

29. Grammar-Translation Method vs.Grammar-Translation Method vs.
The Direct Method: A ComparisonThe Direct Method: A Comparison
in terms of LANGUAGE SKILLS
Direct Method Grammar translation
method
Oral communication skills are
built up in a carefully grade
Primary skills to be improved:
Reading and writing.

30. APPLICATION OF
THE DIRECT
METHOD