Natural Method

Foreign language teaching method with the purpose to emulate as the natural process of first language acquisition, for that reason communicating in the target language is its main focus. Translation is forbidden once the student is supposed to, as a little child does, become used to listening and speaking in the target language. Meaning is demonstrated through the use of mimics, gestures, visual aids, flashcards, realia, etc.

In my opinion, this method is very good for students to acquire autonomy in the foreign language, but the emphasis in oral practice also results in lack of grammar knowledge. Because of that, those students tend to express themselves with many grammatical mistakes.



The Natural Approach - http://www.saskschools.ca/curr_content/hutt/esl/natapp.htm

Macmillan English Dictionary for ELT Terms -
http://www.macmillandictionaries.com/glossaries/definitions/m-p.htm

Second Language Teaching Methods: Principles & Procedures - http://www.moramodules.com/ALMMethods.htm

NORLAND, D.; PRUETT-SAID, T. A kaleidoscope of models and strategies for teaching English to speakers of other languages. Westport: Teacher Idea Press, 2006

KNIBBELER, W. The Explorative-Creative way: Implementation of a humanistic language teaching model. Tübingen: Narr, 1989.