Communicative Language Learning

Question 1

Communicative Language Learning
background

Answer 1

• Communicative language teaching was developed from the research and writings of applied linguists who emphasized that language equaled communication.
• In CLT, the goal of language teaching should be based on communicative competence.
• Communicative competence is defined as the ability to create meaning when interacting with others in the target language, so the focus is on communication in authentic situations.
• This approach led initially to the institution of the notional-functional approach.

Question 2

Communicative Language Learning
Strategy

Answer 2

1. Determine the communicative goals of the students.
2. Create situations and activities in which students produce authentic, meaningful, and contextualized communication.
3. Focus on accuracy only in as much as errors that would impede communication are corrected.

Question 3

Communicative Language Learning
Strengths

Answer 3

The strength of CLT is that it creates a learning environment that closely replicates how students will use language in real-life situations. That is, students participate in real, authentic, and interactive language use in the classroom.

Question 4

Communicative Language Learning
Weaknesses

Answer 4

• A caveat to this approach is that some practitioners may see communication as only oral/aural skills and may not put enough emphasis on the reading and writing skills that some students may need.
• Another caveat is that in an attempt to produce communicative skills quickly, accuracy may be overlooked or given little attention.