22
The direct method has one very basic rule. No translation is allowed. In fact, the direct method receives its name from the fact that meaning is to be
conveyed directly with the target language through the use of demonstration and visual aids, with no reco
urse to the students’ native language.
30
The direct method, in rejecting the use of translation developed as a reaction to such
highly intellectual approaches to language learning
31
. As Schmitt state, direct method emphasized exposure to oral language, with listening as the primary
skill. Meaning was related directly to the target language without the step of translation, and explicit grammar teaching was done played. Direct Method had
its problem. It required teacher to be proficient in the target language.
32
2. Characteristics of Direct Method
The major characteristics of learning vocabulary through direct methods are: A.
The teacher introduces a new target language word or phrase, he demonstrates its meaning through the use of realia, pictures, or
pantomime; he never translate it into the students’ native language.
B. Students speak the target language great deal and communicate as if they
were in real situations. C.
Grammar is taught inductively; that is the students are presented with examples and they figure out the rule or generalization from the example.
An explicit grammar rule may never be given. D.
Students practice vocabulary by using new words in complete sentences.
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3. Function of Direct Method
Teachers who use the Direct Method believe that students need to associate meaning and the target language directly. In order to do this, when
the teacher introduces a new target language word or phrase, he demonstrates
30
Freeman, Techniques and Principles.., p. 23.
31
Jeremy Harmer, How to Teach Vocabulary.London: Longman.2002, p.78.
32
Norbert Schmitt, Vocabulary in Language Teaching, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000, p. 12.
33
Freeman, Techniques and Principles.., p. 29.
23
its meaning through the use of realia, pictures, or pantomime. He never translates it into the students’ native language. Students speak in the target
language a great deal and communicate as if they were in real situation
34
.
4. The Steps of Using Direct Method
There are some techniques that can be used in teaching English by using the direct method, they are:
A. Reading Aloud
The students take turns reading sections of passage, play, or dialog out loud. At the end of each student’s turn, the teacher uses gestures, pictures,
realia, examples, or other means to make the meaning of the section clear. B.
Question and Answer Exercise This exercise is conducted only in target language. Students are asked
questions and answer in full sentences so that they practice with new words and grammatical structure. They have the opportunity to ask
questions as well as answer them. C.
Getting Students to Self-correct The teacher of this class has the students self-correct by asking them to
make a choice between what they said and an alternate answer he supplied. There are, however, other ways of getting students to self-correct. For
example, a teacher might simply repeat what a student has just said; using a questioning voice to signal to the student that something was wrong with
it. Another possibility is for the teacher to repeat what the student said, stopping just before the error. The student knows that the next word was
wrong. D.
Conversation Practice The teacher asks students a number of questions in the target language,
which the students have to understand to be able to answer correctly. In the class observed, the teacher asked individual students questions about
themselves. The questions contained a particular grammar structure. Later,
34
Ibid, p. 24.
