DIRECT METHOD

A. Definition of Direct Method

Direct method or the direct model is a way of presenting the material foreign language lessons where the teacher directly using the foreign language as the language of instruction, and without use the student's language at all in teaching. If there is a word that is difficult to understand by the students, the teacher can interpret by using props, demonstrate, describe and others.

The direct method, sometimes also called natural method, is a method that avoids using the learners’ native language and just uses the target language. This method places great strees on correct pronunciation and the target language from outset. 

According to this method, printed language and text must be kept away from second language learner for as long as possible, and grammar and translation should also be avoided because this would involve the application of the learners’ first language.

Activity example : Teacher show map or picture in front of the class then they asked student questions ( in target language ) about it and student must answer in target language as well. 

B. Purpose of Direct Method

Teachers who use the Direct Method want their students to learn how to communicate with use target language. To achieve that goal, students must learn to think use target language by not being allowed use original language (native language) appear during the lesson.

C. The Interaction between Teacher and Students in Direct Method

Interaction between teachers and students takes place from two directions, from teachers to students or from student to teacher, but most interaction goes from teacher to student. Interaction between students is also a lot happening in this method.

D. Language Skill in Direct Method

Vocabulary is really emphasized beyond grammar. While this method can work on all the basic skills of English such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening from the beginning of learning, but verbal communication is seen as a basic skill. Pronunciation also take a place in this method, from the beginning until the end of the lesson.

E. The Evaluation in Direct Method

Formal evaluation is not so prevalent in this method, but the Direct Method, students are asked to use the target language is not to explain their knowledge of the target language. Students are required to use the target language either orally or in writing. For example, in the evaluation of this method, students may be interviewed in person by a teacher

F. The Advantages and Disadvantages

The Advantages

1. Students are motivated to be able to mention and understand the words of a sentence in a foreign language which is taught by the teacher, especially teachers using props and all kinds of media fun

2. Because in this method,in the beginning teacher usually teach words and simple sentences that can be understood and recognized by students in daily language, for example (pens, pencils, chairs, tables, etc.), then the student can easily catching symbols of foreign languages taught by the teacher, 

3. This method is relatively much use a variety of props: whether video, film, radio cassette, tape recorder, and some media / props that made by the teacher, then this method attract students, because they feel happy / interested,

The then the lesson was not difficult

4. Students get the direct experience, though the sentence that spoken has not been clearly and fully understood.

 Disadvantages

1. Teaching can be passive, if teachers can not motivate students, maybe even once students feel bored because the words and phrases that are spoken by the teacher can never be understood, because the teacher only use a foreign language without translation into the language of the child (Native Language)

2. At the levels of the beginning of this method seems to be difficult to apply, because the student has not had a material yet (vocabulary), which is understandable

3. Although this method is basically a teacher should not use  daily language in delivering foreign language teaching materials but in reality is not always consistent way, for example, teachers are forced to translate difficult words foreign language into the language of the students.