Teaching French with the Direct Method between 1880 and 1920 in the United States of America: A comparative Analysis of key Direct Methods Textbooks

Abstract

This study aims to compare the key authors of direct methods textbooks for teaching French in the USA between 1880 and 1920. After a short background about the reception of the direct method in French foreign language teaching in the USA, this article describes the method according to Lambert Sauveur (1826-1907), one of the precursors in the USA in the 19th century. In addition, a comparative analysis of other recognized authors of the direct method, teaching French in the USA, such as Berlitz, Worman, Gaillard, Grandgent and Matzke, was performed. In conclusion, on the one hand, this study describes the fundamental principles of Sauveur’s direct method (such as the priority given to oral language, the importance of body language, and the use of the target language in the classroom); and on the other hand, it sheds light on the approach in the textbooks of other authors teaching French in the USA between 1880 and 1920.