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CLT Basic

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19 views

CLT Basic

Uploaded by

manaxhil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)

Overview:
Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) is an approach that emphasizes meaningful
communication and the ability to use language effectively in real-life situations. It
prioritizes communicative competence—learners’ ability to use the language appropriately
within social and functional contexts—over the simple memorization of grammatical rules.
CLT emerged in the 1970s as a response to traditional, grammar-focused methods,
bringing a more dynamic and interactive approach to language teaching.
Core Principles of CLT
1. Focus on Meaningful Communication:
a. CLT emphasizes learning language for genuine communication rather than
isolated practice of grammar and vocabulary. Activities are designed to
reflect real-life language use, helping learners express their own ideas,
opinions, and needs in various contexts.
2. Development of Communicative Competence:
a. Communicative competence, a key concept in CLT, goes beyond
grammatical accuracy. It involves knowing how to use language
appropriately across social contexts. This includes being able to choose
suitable language forms for different situations, such as making a request
politely or engaging in small talk.
3. Use of Functional Language:
a. CLT focuses on teaching language functions (e.g., asking for information,
giving directions, expressing opinions) rather than isolated grammatical
structures. This functional approach ensures learners acquire language for
specific purposes, making language learning more practical and directly
applicable.
4. Interactive and Learner-Centered Approach:
a. In a CLT classroom, interaction among students is highly encouraged.
Activities such as role-plays, group discussions, and pair work require
learners to actively use the language, promoting collaboration and
meaningful exchange. This learner-centered approach fosters engagement
and encourages students to take an active role in their learning.
5. Fluency over Accuracy:
a. Fluency, or the ability to communicate smoothly, is often prioritized over
grammatical accuracy in CLT. This focus on fluency reduces students’
anxiety about making mistakes, allowing them to focus on conveying
meaning. Accuracy is addressed as learners develop greater confidence and
communicative ability, often through feedback after completing
communicative tasks.
6. Task-Based Learning:
a. Tasks in CLT are designed to mimic real-life situations, requiring learners to
use language purposefully. Examples of communicative tasks include
planning a trip, conducting an interview, or solving a problem as a group. This
task-based learning allows students to practice language in ways that mirror
real-world scenarios, making lessons more practical and engaging.
7. Authentic Materials and Realistic Scenarios:
a. CLT encourages the use of authentic materials (e.g., newspaper articles,
menus, schedules) to expose learners to language as it is used outside the
classroom. These materials add realism to lessons, helping students
develop skills to handle real-world communication challenges.
Example Activities in CLT
1. Role-Play:
Students assume roles (e.g., customer and waiter) and act out a scenario, practicing
language relevant to specific social interactions. This helps them apply vocabulary,
phrases, and polite forms appropriate to the setting.
2. Information Gap:
In this activity, one student has information the other needs to complete a task, such as
filling out a form or planning an itinerary. Students must ask questions and give answers,
encouraging them to interact naturally and focus on clarity of communication.
3. Problem-Solving Tasks:
Students work in groups to solve a given problem, such as planning an event with specific
requirements. This requires them to discuss, negotiate, and come to an agreement,
practicing language for expressing opinions, agreeing, and disagreeing.
4. Interviews and Surveys:
Students conduct short interviews with each other on topics like favorite hobbies or future
goals. This activity practices question formation, active listening, and conversational skills,
helping students engage in real-life dialogue.

Theoretical Background and Influences


• Communicative Competence by Dell Hymes:
Hymes introduced the idea that effective language use requires not only knowing the rules
of grammar but also understanding how to apply language appropriately in various social
settings. His work laid the groundwork for CLT by emphasizing the functional aspects of
language.
• Functional Language Theory by Michael Halliday:
Halliday’s work on language functions explains how language serves different purposes in
communication, like expressing desires, giving information, or asking questions. CLT
incorporates these functions into its framework, teaching language through its practical
uses rather than just form.
• Fluency and Accuracy Concepts:
CLT emphasizes that fluency—speaking smoothly and confidently—is often more crucial
than perfect accuracy, especially at the beginning stages of learning. By allowing students
to focus on fluency initially, CLT reduces the fear of mistakes, which is essential for
developing communicative skills. Accuracy is gradually introduced, often in the context of
feedback after communicative tasks.

Summary of CLT Goals and Benefits


CLT’s main objective is to enable students to use language effectively and naturally. By
prioritizing communication, focusing on functional language, and promoting interactive
activities, CLT helps learners develop the confidence to navigate real-world language use.
This approach encourages an enjoyable and engaging learning environment, making
language relevant, purposeful, and empowering for students.

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