DIRECT METHODAPPLIED LINGUISTICS

JORGE LUIS TAVERAS

BA IN ENGLISH TEACHING IESCH

INTRODUCTIONAs the Grammar Translation Method, the

Direct method is not new. Its principles have been applied by language teachers for many years. The main aspect of the DM is the use of a foreign language to communicate.

The main difference between the GTM and the DM is that translation is absolutely not allowed.

EXPERIENCE We are going to analyze an English class

in Italy in a lower secondary level. It si an hour class three times a week.

The teacher has posted a big map of the US and the students are instructed to open their books to a lesson entitled LOOKING AT A MAP.

The students read the passage and the teacher shows on the map what they are reading.

VISUAL AIDS AND ASSISSTANCE AFTER THE STUDENTS FINISH READING

THE TEACHER ASKS IF THEY HAVE ANY VOCABULARY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS THEM USING REALIA OR VISUAL AIDS.

AFTER THE STUDENTS HAVE FINISHED ASKING QUESTIONS THE TEACHER ASKS SOME COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE JUST READ.

CORRECTION THERE IS A QUESTION SESSION FROM

THE STUDENTS WHERE A STUDENT ASKS AND THE CLASS RESPONDS. AFTER A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS A STUDENT ASKS A QUESTIONS BUT MAKES A PRONUNCIATION MISTAKE WHICH THE TEACHER CORRECTS AND INVITES THE OTHER TO REPEAT WITH HIM. THE SESSION CONTINUES AND ANOTHER STUDENTS MAKES A GRAMMAR MISTAKE WHICH THE TEACHER OBSERVES BY GIVING THE STUDENT TO SELF-CORRECT.

INTERACTION PATTERNS After the question session has finished

the teacher asks students about things in the classroom. E.g.: Is Antonella between Francesco and Emanuela?

Then the teacher asks the students to work in groups ask these type of questions to each other.

PRACTICE The students are instructed to complete

sentences in their book using preposition which they practiced before.

TYPE OF ACTIVITIES INVOLVED IN THE DIRECT METHOD Reading aloud:

The Ss read a text out loud and the teacher uses gestures, pictures, realia, examples, or other ways to make the meaning of the section clear.

Question and answer exercise:This exercise is only in english. Students are asked and they must answer in the target language so they practice the new words and the grammar structure. The Ss have the opportunity to ask as well as answer questions.

TYPE OF ACTIVITIES INVOLVED IN THE DIRECT METHOD Getting Ss to Self-correct:

In the example above the T noticed a mistake and gave the S the opportunity to self-correct by giving him optioons, there are other ways to self-correct, e.g. the teacher can repeat what the student has just said in a question tone so the S can notice that there is a mistake. Another way is to accent the word that is incorrect.

TYPES OF ACTIVITIES IN THE DIRECT METHOD Conversation Practice

The T asks the Ss questions in the target language. The questions contain a particular grammar structure so they can later use it to ask themselves question using it.

Fill-in-the-blank exercises:this technique is also used in the GTM but it differs from the latter in the sense that all the items are in English and thus no grammar rule will be applied because the students will use the grammar rule that was induced priorly.

TYPES OF ACTIVITIES IN THE DIRECT METHOD Dictation:

This is purely a listening exercise. Map Drawing:

Another type of listening comprehension exercise to follow directions.

Paragraph writing:The Ss practice writing with the vocabulary and grammar they have just learnt.

CONCLUSION

Do you agree that the goal of target language instruction should be to teach students how to communicate in the target language?

Do you think it is correct not to use the native language to explain meaning?

Do you agree with the view of culture? Should the Ss be encourage to self-

correct? Should grammar be presented

inductively? Are there other techniques of the Direct

Method?

UNDERSTANDING Can you explain the difference between

deductive and inductive treatments of grammar?

What are some characteristics of the Direct method that makes it so distinctive from the Grammar Translation Method?

Do you think a teacher that uses the Direct Method could teach students without knowing the Ss’s native language?

HOMEWORK What is the audio-lingual method?HistoryArmy Specialized Training Program ASTPTheory of the LanguageTheory of LearningObjectives (aims)Learners’ and Teachers’ rolesThe role of instructional materialAdvantages and disadvantagesSample of activitiesThe decline of this method

DIVIDE THE TOPICS AND PREPARE ONE PPT FOR TUESDAY. THE SAME PRESENTATION FOR THE WHOLE CLASS, THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.