Direct Method

Direct Method
A new teaching philosophy of a Spanish teacher in California Tracy Terrell who joined with Stephen Krashen an applied linguist defined the direct method as “approaches which have been called natural, psychological, phonetic, new, reform, direct, analytic, and imitative and so forth” (Karshen and Terrel 1993: 9).
Other definition has also been issued by the Modern LanguageAssociation in 1901. “In its extreme from the method consisted of a series of monologues by the teacher interspersed with exchanges of question and answer between the instructor and the pupil”. (Cole 1931: 58)
The direct teaching enables the learner to produce the target language accurately. Most of the words and expression is learned by hearing.
At least that is in my case when I was learning a newlanguage. I had the opportunity to be immersed in the environment of the target language.
I admit that I did not have any background knowledge of the language. I was exposed to the language many hours daily. I repeated the words that I wish to learn and with a little help I could produce the language naturally.
The main concept of direct method is that a second language is learned similarly asthe first language is acquired. Hence, the classroom instruction is conducted entirely in the target language.
Direct method is a technique which was developed to contrast the grammar translation approach, which is also known as the traditional method.
“The traditional method focuses on learning the rules of grammar and their application in the target language but classes are taught in thefirst language”.
On the other hand, the main goal of direct method is to incorporate the use of the language which emphasizes the application of the target language.
“The Direct Method, also called the Natural Approach, developed towards the end of the 19th century. It represents are critical reaction to the teaching methods of the ancient Grammar Translation Method which produced knowledgeabout language rather than knowledge of language. The general goal of the Direct Method is to provide learners with a practically useful knowledge of language”.
In order to employ direct method the learner is required to be immersed fully into the use of the language in real situation. The learner is in part distracted from the grammar scheme of the language. Grammar will be integrated as learnerslearn how to use the language.


Language is a mean to communicate. If the message does not get across there is no communication. Thus, Krashen and Terrell state that “acquisition can take place only when people understand messages in the target language” (1983: 1)
Personally, I have learned that the simpler the language or message is, the easier is language understood. I agree with Krashenand Terrell how acquisition takes place. Now, going back to my personal experience obtaining the language it is much easier to reconstruct and reproduced it after being exposed to it.
Therefore, in direct method all teaching is done in the target language. The grammar aspect is included by speaking and listening as well as reproducing. Communication in the target language is a must for the studentto learn efficiently. This process may take time, but in the end is worth it.
The direct method is known as a tool to learn how to use a foreign language which relies on speech not writing skill. Teaching direct method helps the learner to think in the target language.
The objective of direct method is to help students make meaningful effort to progressively learn how to be self-sufficient inusing the language.
There is great expectation for the students to learn and apply the language.
The process of learning also relies on the learner needs and skill such as reading, writing, listening, or speaking.
As the four skills of the learners are employed the communication skills such as oral and written will be eventually developed. The learners’ needs are observed by applying the...