Direct Method For Learning Spanish:
An Effective Way to Learn Conversational Spanish
The direct method for learning Spanish has proven its efficacy but nowadays
it is usually used in combination with other methods and approaches. Some language software systems, like
Rosetta Stone, are based on this method and on the immersion method.
The method is known also as natural method for learning Spanish. It is the
opposite of grammar-translation, and was intended to correct all its weaknesses.
Description of the direct method for learning Spanish
- In contrast to the grammar-translation method, the communication here between
the teacher and the students and the students between each other is in Spanish, and English is
neglected.
- Both the students and the teacher are supposed to use Spanish when
communicating with each other.
- Thus Spanish language learning is resembles learning English as a child – you
learn it among people who already speak it and you use it as far as your abilities allow you that.
- This method for learning Spanish is concentrated on listening and speaking
Spanish. It also develops your pronunciation very well. Moreover listening and then speaking comprises the idea
of imitation which is one of the basic concepts in learning any language.
- Students are required to intensively communicate – by speaking, talking,
asking and answering questions. Special attention paid to pronunciation in Spanish. All communication is
related to normal environment that could occur in everyday life.
This method for learning how to speak spanish is practically all-opposite to the
school (grammar-trasnlation) method, as the concept is to neglect any written text, any reading, writing, at least
till the moment of achieving high enough level of oral skills in Spanish.
There is no grammar and no translation here as in the previous method, simply
because explaining Spanish grammar rules and making translation implies using English, which should be avoided as a
rule.
All this process obviously resembles speaking progress of a child – it first
listens, then starts speaking, much later it is introduced to alphabet, and developing reading skills and writing
comes last.
No grammar or translations are presented until certain reasonable age, as they
require intelligence and skills that are not innate.
In the direct method the surrounding world is also revealed in the way it is
revealed to a child – by illustrations, demonstrations, comparisons, introducing common objects as tables, windows,
books, bags, vases and so on. Abstract words are taught through associations.
Benefits of styding Spanish with the direct method
- Speaking and listening skills are well developed, along with
pronunciation
- Communication is in target language and is related to everyday situations and
vocabulary.
- Learning target language is performed in a natural way which is easy and
guarantees fast and steady progress.
- Grammar is introduced while the students are not aware of it at
all.
Disadvantages of learning Spanish with
the direct method
- Starting to communicate directly in Spanish might sometimes pose serious
problems. The way a child is introduced to English might be natural but anyway adults have different
perceptions and habits. In some cases the idea of “forcing a child-like behavior” might seem somehow primitive
and even irritating.
- It might be disappointing for some persons who might feel they are not
progressing fast enough.
- Explaining things by only using illustrations, demonstrations and association
and trying to fully escape communicating in English could make things more difficult than needed.
- Some Spanish grammar and vocabulary specifics cannot be explained well or at
all.
- The teacher plays a too centralized part in the learning process.
- The training does not develop well reading and writing skills in Spanish.
Thus it is just partly related to contextual learning and does not fully prepare the learner for what comes
next after the Spanish introductory course.
Recommended level of Spanish language fluency for applying the direct
method for learning Spanish:
The direct method for styding Spanish has its logical sequence – the language
immersion – which is based on the same principles, and also can be used both for beginners and intermediate
learners.
Its flexibility allows to be applied in combination with other methods for
learning Spanish.
One of the best software programs for language learning – Rosetta
Stone – is based on these two methods.
Rosetta Stone is a really unique tool as it allows everyone
to learn talking in any language without using native language during the learning process.
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