Which one of the following method is useful at the Lower Secondary stage?

At the Lower Secondary stage, students are generally in the early stages of acquiring language skills. The methods used at this level aim to establish a strong foundation in the language, focusing on vocabulary building, basic grammar, and communication. 

Key Points

• Bilingual method is often considered the most useful at the Lower Secondary stage.
• This method uses both the native language and the target language to help students bridge gaps in understanding and gradually transition to thinking directly in the target language.
• At this stage, students may still require support from their first language to understand complex concepts and develop language proficiency, making the bilingual method effective in ensuring comprehension and communication.

Hint

• Audio Lingual method focuses on listening and speaking through repetition and drills. While effective for developing basic speaking skills, it may not be as suitable at the Lower Secondary stage where students may benefit more from a balanced approach that includes both comprehension and communication in context.
• Grammar Translation method is an older method that focuses heavily on grammar rules and translation of sentences between the native language and the target language. While it can be useful for developing reading and writing skills, it does not emphasize practical communication, which is essential for young learners at this stage.
• Direct method emphasizes teaching vocabulary and grammar in context, using only the target language for communication. Although it can be very effective for immersing students in the language, it might be challenging for Lower Secondary students, especially if they are still not fully comfortable with the target language.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Bilingual method'.