The Direct Method was developed by Maximilian Berlitz in the late 19th century as an alternative to the Grammar Translation Method. It teaches language through direct use of the target language only, without translation. New vocabulary is introduced through demonstration, pictures, and objects rather than translation. Grammar is induced and learned implicitly through examples rather than explicit rule explanation. The goal is to enable practical communication skills in the target language.

1. Universidad Central del EcuadorUniversidad Central del Ecuador
Facultad de Filosofía, Letras yFacultad de Filosofía, Letras y
Ciencias del EcuadorCiencias del Ecuador
Carrera de PlurilingüeCarrera de Plurilingüe
The Direct MethodThe Direct Method
Nombre: Alejandra LópezNombre: Alejandra López

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
The GTM focuses on
grammar rules and
their application.
Language is learned
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

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,
The role of the
teacher is not very
active because he
just limits his work
to translate for the

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
The accuracy
from the
students is

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
Primary skills to
be improved:

30. APPLICATION OF
THE DIRECT
METHOD