The teacher controls the topic, aims, content, organization, sequence, and rate. Emphasis can be placed where the teacher desires. The lecture can be used to motivate and increase interest, to clarify and explain, to expand and bring in information not available to the students, and to review. The number of students listening to the lecturer isn't important.
Students can interrupt for clarification or more detail.
The lecture can be taped, filmed, or printed for future use. Other media and demonstrations can be easily combined with the lecture. The lecture can be easily revised and updated. The teacher can serve as a model in showing how to deal with issues and problems. Students are used to the lecture method.