2014 Fall Semester- Week 2

Introduction1. Goal of instruction: leaning how to use

another language to communicate2. The very basic rule: No translation is

allowed.3. Meaning is to be conveyed directly in the

target language through the use of demonstration and visual aids, with no recourse to the students’ native language

Experience (1)1. A big map of the USA was placed in the front

of the classroom2. Students are called on one by one to read a

sentence from the reading passage about the map3. The countries around the USA: ( North)

Canada. (South)Mexico4. The Great Lakes, Rio Grande river5. The Atlantic Ocean, The Pacific Ocean

Experience (2) 6. The Appalachian Mountains 7. The Rocky Mountain8. Students ask question in target language: a

mountain range (e.g.)9. The teacher draw to illustrate a mountain

range10. Ask and answer questions in a full

sentence

Experience (3) 11. Invite students to ask and answer questions12. Insure that students’ pronunciation is correct13. Correct students’ word usage when asking

questions14. Practice the usage of preposition15. Fill-in-the-blanks exercise16. Dictation the geography of the United States

Thinking about the experience(1)Principles:1. Reading in the target language should be taught from the

beginning of language instruction; however, the reading skill will be developed through practice with speaking. Language is primarily speech. Culture consists of more than the fine arts (e.g. the students study geography and cultural attitudes).

 2. Objects (e.g. realia or pictures) present in the immediate classroom environment should be used to help students understand the meaning.

 3. The native language should not be used in the classroom. 

Thinking about the experience (2)4. The teacher should demonstrate, not explain or translate. It

is desirable that students make a direct association between the target language and meaning.

 • 5. Students should learn to think in the target language as

soon as possible. Vocabulary is acquired more naturally if students use it in full sentences, rather than memorizing word lists.

6. The purpose of language learning is communication (therefore students need to learn how to ask questions as well as answer them).

 

Thinking about the experience (3)7. Pronunciation should be worked on right from the

beginning of language instruction.

8. Self – correction facilitates language learning.

9. Lessons should contain some conversational activity – some opportunity for students to use language in real contexts. Students should be encouraged to speak as much as possible.

10. Grammar should be taught inductively. There may never be an explicit grammar rule given.

Thinking about the experience (4)11. Writing is an important skill, to be developed

from the beginning of language instruction.

12. The syllabus is based on situations or topics, not usually on linguistic structures.

13. Learning another language also involves learning how speakers of that language live.

Review the principles and techniques

Answer the 10 questions based on the observation of techniques and principles

8 techniques are reviewed: reading aloud, question and answer exercise, getting students to self-correct, conversation practice, Fill-in-the-blanks exercise, dictation, map drawing, paragraph writing

Conclusion and ActivitiesConclusion: do you agree that the goal of target

language instruction should be teach students how to communicate in the target language?

Activities:1. Check your understanding of the Direct Method?

2. Apply What you have understood about the Direct Method.

Homework for week 21. e-portfolio: Life journal- Copy and paste the principles

from the PPT2. e-portfolio: wiki- Appalachian Mountains & Rocky

Mountains3. e-portfolio: picture- upload the picture of the USA map4. Upload the PPT file to your resource center