Communicative Language Teaching Method

Summary

The video introduces the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) method, emphasizing interaction as both a means and goal in language learning. CLT focuses on functional language use, with authentic materials and group work to maximize communication. All four language skills—speaking, listening, reading, and writing—are practiced simultaneously. Errors are tolerated during fluency activities and corrected later. Teachers act as facilitators, while students take responsibility for their learning. CLT encourages real-life communication through activities like role-plays and problem-solving. Though motivating, challenges include balancing real-life language with structured exercises and finding authentic materials for lower levels.

Takeaways

• 💬 CLT (Communicative Language Teaching) focuses on interaction as both the means and goal of language learning.
• 🎯 The goal is to enable students to communicate effectively, so the language is used a lot in classrooms.
• 🔄 Function and form: Various forms can serve the same function, and a single form can serve multiple functions.
• 📚 Authentic materials are key to showing how language is actually used, promoting meaningful learning.
• 👥 Group work is essential to maximize communication time, a key element of the CLT approach.
• ⚖️ CLT balances the four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing to build communicative competence.
• ❌ Errors are tolerated during fluency activities but corrected during accuracy exercises.
• 👨‍🏫 In CLT, teachers act as advisors while students are communicators, promoting learner autonomy.
• 🗣️ True communication has three features: an information gap, choice, and feedback.
• 📅 CLT emerged in the late 70s and 80s due to the need to shift from linguistic structure teaching to communication-focused teaching.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) method?

The primary goal of CLT is to enable students to communicate effectively by focusing on interaction as both the means and the goal of language learning.

How does CLT view the relationship between function and form?

In CLT, many forms can complete a single function, and one form can serve multiple functions. This flexibility is reflected in the use of functional syllabi that focus on tasks like making requests or predictions.

What type of materials are typically used in CLT classrooms?

Authentic materials that show how language is used in real-life situations are commonly used in CLT, which promotes meaningful learning and encourages communication.

How does CLT incorporate group work in its approach?

Group work is essential in CLT, as small groups maximize the time students spend communicating with one another, which aligns with the method’s focus on communication.

How are the four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) addressed in CLT?

CLT encourages a balance of all four skills, often having students work on them simultaneously. This mirrors real-world communication and helps students develop communicative competence.

How are errors treated in CLT?

Errors are tolerated during fluency activities and are corrected during accuracy activities, which provides a balance between focusing on rules and allowing students to practice freely.

What is the role of teachers and students in CLT?

Teachers act as advisors or guides, facilitating communication, while students are communicators who take responsibility for their own learning.

What are the three features of true communication activities in CLT?

True communication activities in CLT are characterized by an information gap (one speaker knows something the other doesn’t), choice (in what and how to say something), and feedback (the listener’s response shows if communication was successful).

What are some strengths of the CLT method?

Strengths of CLT include its ability to motivate students by focusing on useful language, the immediacy of feedback, encouragement of cooperation, and the emphasis on culture and real-world social context.

What are some challenges or weaknesses of CLT?

Challenges include balancing real-life language with controlled exercises, difficulty for non-native teachers to use the method, and the challenge of finding authentic materials for lower-level learners.