The Direct Method

The Direct Method is one of the most popular methods of teaching foreign languages. As the name of the method itself suggests, this method focuses on learning the target language without using the native language.

This method primarily focuses on the development of oral skills. One of the most important characteristic features of this method is that visual materials and real-life objects are used. Moreover, such oral training helps in reading and writing. There is no translation involved in this method. This method helps the students learn how to communicate in the target language by creating an association between experience and expression, word and idea. A lot of techniques are used when teachers use the direct method. Some of them are: paragraph writing, holding a conversation in the target language, reading aloud and dictation.

One of the main objectives of using the direct method is to help the student think in the target language naturally similar to the way he/she does in his/her own native language. Hence, this method is also called a natural method.

The method has advantages and disadvantages. One of the advantages is that the ultimate focus is on learning the target language. There is no intervention in the native language. This method also aids the processes of learning how to fluently speak the target language. Moreover, the students remain alert focusing on the new learning.

Quite a lot of fun activities could be used to make the whole task of learning the language interesting. However, this method also has a few disadvantages. One of them is the fact that this method expects the students to be fast learners. Slow learners might suffer. This becomes even more difficult when the class of the students is big. Hence, it is difficult for the student to pay attention to individual students.