Chapter 3 The Direct Method

Marisol Leal Prado

O B S E R V A T I O N S

Observations
1- The students read aloud a passage about U.S.A. 2-The teacher points to a part of the map after each sentence is read. 3-Target language used to ask & answer questions. 4-Teacher answers questions with drawings on the board or giving examples. 5-Students answer questions in a complete sentence with the target language. 6-Students ask questions about the map.

Principles
Reading in the TG should be taught from the beggining of language instruction. Objects present in the immediate classroom.

The native language should not be used in the classroom. Teacher should demonstrate, not explain or translate.

Students should learn to think in the target language as soon as possible. The purpose of language learning is communication. Pronounciation should be worked on right from the beggining of language instruction. Self-correction facilitates language learning. Lessons should contain some conversational activity=some opportunity for students to use the target language=students should be encouraged to speak as much as possible. Grammar should be taught inductively. Writing should be developed in the beggining. The syllabus is based on situations or topics. Learning another language involves learning how speakers of that language live.

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P R I N C I P L E S

7-Teacher works on the pronounciation of words. 8-The teacher corrects errors by asking students to make a choice. 9-Students ask eachother.

10-Students fill in blanks with prepositions practiced in the lesson. 11-Teacher dictates a paragraph about U.S.A. geography. 12-All the lessons of the week involve U.S.A. geography. 13-A proverb is used to discuss how people in the U.S.A. View punctuality.

Reviewing the Principles

What are the goals of teachers who use the Direct Method? What is the role of the teacher? What is the role of the students? What are the characteristics of the teaching/learning process? What is the nature of student/teacher interaction & student/student interaction?

How are the feelings of the students dealt with? How is language viewed? How is culture viewed? What areas of language are emphasized? What language skills are emphasized? What is the role of the students` native language? How is evaluation accomplished? How does the teacher respond to students` errors?

Reviewing the Techniques

Reading aloud Question & answer Self-correct Conversation Fill in Blank Dictation Map Drawing Paragraph Writing