DIRECT METHOD

Direct Method is a revision of Grammar Translation Method, because the method is considered not able to make students communicate or speaking in the target language fluently or develop students’ communication skill. Since the Grammar Translation Method was not very effective in preparing students to use the target language communicatively, Direct Method became popular.
In the learning processes, translations are not allowed. Teacher asks a student to read aloud in the class. Then, teacher gives question in the target language to the student.
Self-correction facilitates language learning. Mean, teacher‘s role is less active than in the Grammar Translation Method. Teacher does not decide whether an answer is correct or not. Teacher corrects a grammar error by using various techniques, tries to get students to self-correct whenever possible or asking the students to make a choice. Students and teacher are more like partners in the language learning process.
The main goal of the Direct Method is to make students able to speaking or communicate fluently in the target language. Students should learn to think in the target language in order to do this successfully.
The main principle of direct method is mother tongue or native language is not allowed in the target language learning process. Students’ native language should not be used in the classroom. Teacher and students must speaking or communicate in the target language as if they were in real situations. Teacher asks students to use target language if they have a question. Then teacher answer it by demonstrate the models or drawing it on the blackboard. During teaching or learning process, teacher does not translate any words of target language into native language, but usually applies maps, pictures, or inanimate objects and then demonstrates it in order to explain the meaning of the words to the students. It is required that students make a direct connection between target language and meaning.
In the method, vocabulary is not emphasized. Students practice vocabulary by using new words in complete sentences, than memorizing word lists. Grammar rules may never be given clearly.
Pronunciation, speaking and writing skill are the important skills in this method. Those are should be worked on right and developed from the language learning process.
Techniques of the direct method according to the book ”Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching” by Diane Larsen-Freeman:
1. Reading aloud
Students are asked to read a texts, plays or dialogs out loud.
2. Question and answer exercise
Asking students some questions in the target language and having students answer the questions in complete sentences.
3. Students’ self-correction
Teacher gives opportunities for students to self correct answers by using various techniques and models.
4. Conversation practice
Asking section or dialog section between teachers and students in the target language, in order to habituate students speak or communicate in the target language.
5. Fill-in-the-blank exercise
Teaches applies items in target language only, no explicit grammar rules.
6. Dictation
Teacher read a reading text aloud in amount of times at various tempos while students just listen and write down what they hear.
7. Map drawing
Teacher mentions some places in a geographical map. Students are asked by teacher to find and label the places in the map. This technique is used to give students listening comprehension practice and develop students’ listening skill.
8. Paragraph writing
Students are asked to write paragraphs in their own words by using target language.