Direct Method:
I think the direct method is pretty interesting. However it may be more adequate when used with young children. I have read that kids can supposedly learn more languages easily. Unfortunately really few people are able to provide a propicious environment for such learning.
The direct method also tends to be more appropiate for beginners, in the sense that repetition is quite common, which is usually not the case when it comes to dealing with advance learners.
I do not think is really effective nor helpful when teachers who try to apply this method in class, insist on explaining every little thing through demonstration only. In many cases, especially if you have more than five students, it is much easier to simply say the meaning of a word in their native language, for instance. It is easier, more practical and they understand right away.
The direct method is widely used, probably for its intuitivity and easiness. Therefore as it has been proved to be fairly functional, we should take into account at least some of the ideas it involves.
Suggestopedia:
The suggestopedia was the method I found to be the most attractive one and yet the less practical. While I do enjoy listening to instrumental music, classical or even famous movies' musical scores by renowned composers, there are not really many others who would share any interest at all in such things. Most people around here just love perreo and bachata, which don't seem to be proper musical genres to have as a background during a class, they are not suitable to estimulate your brain nor ideas, in fact due to their offensive language they might end up making you dumber or produce negative thoughts or irrationality.
Regarding the equipment as well as comfortable seats, that is not up to the teacher to control and it is almost impossible to find the resources for an entire group in this country. Technology is still hard to get. And even when we have access, it is limited and we quicly run out of options and variety.
So my conclusion on that method is to use it only if you truly have the needed resources, but also a group that is capable or has a previous knowledge base that would make them able to assimilate, enjoy and just take benefit from suggestopedia.
Silent Way:
In my opinion, this method has a lot of positive aspects. It incentivates the student to work and learn individually. He develops and works on his own learning process more independently.
The use of considerably more material than on other methods, is a remarkable difference, as it challenges the teacher to be more creative, while at the same time gives the kids a new and more attractive way to find their classes alluring and less routinary.
It is relevant to point out that observation is an essential part of this particular method. For visual learners, that must be a real advantage and it presumably helps them to understand topics much faster.
The silent way is practically used with groups. It can be applied collectively with certain effectiveness. As this method is not necessarily too personalized, it allows the teacher to have more freedom and time to have a clear mind during the teaching process.
In this method, the student is very active and never remains only listening to the teacher in a passive way that would not be as productive. There is a more physical type of learning going on. The kids are in contact with objects and interacting.
In conclusion, I think that the silent way is recommendable for students that are on an intermediate level or higher, to develop their skills.
What Jonathan says is really true when he says that teachers can not translate every single word that students don’t know especially when it is a big group a teacher is working with. Imagine the teacher has 20 students and all students want to know the meaning of a word at the same time, it will be easier for the teacher to say the meaning in Spanish.
ResponderEliminarUse of translation
ResponderEliminarWe have been used not translating in class but sometimes it is really necessary since there are words that are just hard to demonstrate their meaning by means of pictures or verbal explanations. I still support the idea of spending a lot of time in trying to explain a word in English. If we are constantly leaning on translations, the students will not make the slight effort to figure out meaning. When students go and hold conversations, let´s say with english speakers, they are not supposed to be asking for translation so I truly believe they must get used to getting the meaning of words in the target language-great exercise for the brain.
Silent Way is great since students are responsable for their learning. Besides it makes the teacher´s life easy for he/she will be giving help just when the students ask for it.
Suggestopedia is a method that is not commonly used in our society. People will definetely fall asleep if we get them sit in a comfortable chair and playing classical music.
Well somebody mentioned an ecleptic method and it will somehow work. We´re find out while you have your practicum.
I think Jonathan that the direct can worked with all kind of students, the only thing is that you have to choose the best activities for them right? the suggestopedia method can be nice but in ouir culture it is difficult to apply this method because it requires classical music and as you have mentioned; in this country people would like to be in a classroom with that kind of music. it will be awfull. I respect your point of view about the silent way method but I do not like this method and I think it is because of our personality. they are different and we feel more comfortable with different methods.
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