Communicative Language Teaching Method

Introduction to Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)

Overview of CLT

• The Communicative Language Teaching method (CLT) emphasizes interaction as both the means and goal of language learning.

• A functional syllabus is typically used, focusing on real-life functions such as making requests and predictions, highlighting the versatility of sentence structures.

Key Characteristics of CLT

• Authentic materials are utilized to demonstrate real-world language use, enhancing meaningful learning experiences.

• All four language skills—speaking, listening, reading, and writing—are practiced simultaneously to foster communicative competence.

• Errors are tolerated during fluency activities but corrected in accuracy-focused sessions, balancing practice with rule adherence.

Roles in CLT

Teacher and Student Dynamics

• Teachers act as advisors while students take on communicative roles, promoting learner autonomy and responsibility for their own education.

Features of True Communication

• True communication involves three key features: an information gap (where one speaker knows something the other does not), choice in expression, and feedback based on listener responses.

Historical Context of CLT

Development Timeline

• Developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s as educational institutions recognized the need for teaching language for effective communication rather than just linguistic mastery.

Strengths and Weaknesses of CLT

Strengths

• Students are motivated by practical language applications; immediate feedback enhances understanding during conversations.

• Emphasizes cooperation among learners by integrating all four skills simultaneously, catering to diverse learning styles.

Weaknesses

• Balancing real-life language with controlled exercises can be challenging; improper focus may lead to neglecting rules and forms.

• Finding authentic materials can be difficult for lower-level learners or non-native teachers.

Classroom Implications for Teachers

Facilitating Communication

• Teachers should view themselves as facilitators of communication while ensuring that evaluations reflect integrative tasks serving real-life functions.

Classroom Activities

• Suggested activities include adopting a functional syllabus, role plays, scrambling sentences for cohesion training, problem-solving tasks, and using current media like newspaper articles or podcasts.