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| The Direct Method |  Although the grammar translation and audio-lingual method dominated much of language teaching, there were better options obtainable. The direct method is distinguished among them. It originated in the 19th century throughout the work of numerous significant thinkers, particularly Lambert Sauveur – a Frenchman who opened a language school in Boston in 1869. His system of teaching French became known as the natural method.
The fundamental principle of the direct method is that second language learning should be more like first language learning. The method comprises plenty of oral communication and the impulsive use of language. The teacher discourages translation between first and second languages, and puts little stress on the rules of grammar.
The direct method classroom was one of small, concentrated classes which stressed both speech and listening understanding. The teacher provides instruction completely in the target language, teaching on a daily basis vocabulary and sentences. The teacher expands spoken communication skills in a cautious progression that is frequently organized around questions-and-answer exchanges. The teacher clarifies fresh teaching points throughout modeling and practice.
A direct approach teacher highlights right pronunciation and grammar, which he or she teaches inductively. The teacher presents real vocabulary all the way through demonstration, realia and pictures, for instance, and teaches theoretical vocabulary throughout connection of ideas. This method was the first to catch the attention of both language teachers and language teaching specialists, and it presented a methodology that emerged to move language teaching into a new era.
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