The direct or natural method of language learning

Bonjour,

In the early 1900s the direct or natural method of language learning became of interest to second language teachers. It originated with the work of Berlitz and Sauzé who developed earlier theories that second languages were better learned in the same way as the first. The direct method sets out to replicate the way babies learn their first language. It was noted that babies did not rely on another language to acquire their first, they made direct connections between experiences and the language used to communicate those experiences…perception to communication. Within this method there is focus on pronunciation and oral usage rather than learning grammar rules, and immersion of the learner in the target language. It also discourages exposure to reading and writing.

However in classroom use the method differs from the normal process of learning one’s first language in that the content is structured into lessons, whereas a babies learning is focused on the experiences of the day which are much broader, richer, and far more random.

A great many aspects of this approach are seen in our daily school programmes.

Immersion education attempts to create language learning where the first language is not used, and learning of the target language is expected to occur in the same way as the student’s first language. The Ataarangi method eschews the use of English, writing and reading except for the recording of correct patterns.

The need for teaching oral skills is perhaps an area where we might usefully include some of the direct method thinking in our practice.

Au revoir,

Chris