EMPOWERING ORAL LANGUAGE LEARNING: THE DIRECT METHOD AS A FOUNDATION

Abstract

This paper examines the effectiveness of the Direct Method as a foundational approach for teaching oral language skills, emphasizing its immersive and practical nature. The Direct Method focuses on creating an environment where students learn language naturally by directly associating words with their meanings through conversation, without translation. By prioritizing listening and speaking skills, it encourages students to think in the target language and promotes fluency through real-time communication. Through classroom observations and a review of relevant studies, this paper highlights the strengths of the Direct Method in enhancing oral proficiency, such as improved pronunciation, vocabulary retention, and contextual understanding. While the method proves effective in fostering basic conversational skills, certain limitations are noted, particularly in addressing advanced grammar and writing skills. The study concludes that the Direct Method provides a strong foundation for oral language development and can be complemented with other methods to create a balanced language-learning program.

Keywords

Direct Method, oral language learning, language acquisition