The direct method is a foreign-language teaching approach that emerged in the late nineteenth century as a reaction against grammar-translation teaching, requiring the target language to be used exclusively in the classroom, with meaning conveyed through demonstration, pictures and context rather than translation, and grammar taught inductively from examples rather than through explicit rules. It was popularized by language educator Maximilian Berlitz and remains closely associated with the Berlitz school network.
Facts
Central QuestionHow can a language be taught by using only the target language in the classroom, entirely avoiding the learners' native language 1 Most Effective ForBuilding oral fluency and speaking skill, since improved fluency of speech was found to make writing easier too 1 Connections
Supersedes
Source Direct method (education) - Wikipedia
Sources
1. Direct method (education) - Wikipedia
Definition section
The direct method aims to completely avoid involvement of the learners' native language.
Merits section
Improves fluency of speech, fluency of speech results in easier writing
Supersedes: Grammar-Translation Method, Historical context section
The direct method was an answer to the dissatisfaction with the older grammar translation method, which teaches students grammar and vocabulary through direct translations and thus focuses on the written language.
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