Advantages Of Communicative Language Teaching

The communicative approach, also known as communicative language teaching (CLT) is an approach which is structured around the goal of teaching language naturally. Where the learner acquires the language by means of networking in actual and eloquent conversations (British Council, 2006).

Before the invention of CLT, language teaching largely focused on the accuracy of the language. Therefore, learners were taught how to produce grammatically correct written and spoken English using methods such as drilling. However, it was soon realized that knowing the rules of the language does not significantly contribute to the learner fluency in the language. This conclusion was reached after it was noted that, learners still displayed failure to apply

Suitability of CLT in the South African context

South African schools have a wide-ranging variety of learners. Hence, for the reason that, learners are all different it may be difficult to find one language teaching approach that is suitable to all. While an approach may fail in certain aspects it may be fitting in other aspects, as such, no approach is seamless and CLT is no exception.

In South African rural-based government schools, it is often that learners are not taught how to speak English naturally. They are instead instructed with copious rulebooks on how to speak English properly by following the rules of the English language. Nevertheless, this technique of teaching has rendered ineffective in training learners to be fluent in the English language. As many still fail dismally to express themselves in the language. It is clear that, such schools need new approaches to teaching language which will enable learners to communicate confidently.

In spite of this, CLT may still not be a solution and suitable in the South African context for many teachers in rural-based schools themselves cannot speak English fluently. They therefore opt to use their inherent languages (such as IsiZulu, isiXhosa and isiNdebele) to teach rather than English the prescribed medium of instruction. Unfortunately, this action by teachers impacts negatively on learners as they forfeit the opportunity to be exposed to the target

CLT to attain the language learning goal in the CAPS document

It is the goal of CAPS that learners, “listen, speak, read/view and write/present the language with confidence and enjoyment” (Department of Education, 2011: 9). To ensure that learners enjoy speaking, I will:

 Use a game in order to enhance the language and improve the pronunciation of words.

 Learners will be divided into 3 equal groups.

 The teacher will set up a scenario, where a conversation between people takes place.

 The teacher will have a stack of cards with words applicable to the scenario. The teacher will then choose one word and write it on the board.

 The groups will then use the word in the conversation.

 the first group to correctly pronounce the word and use it in the conversation will be awarded one point.

 Feedback on errors will be given by the teacher after the game has ended to avoid interrupting the flow of the conversation.

It is also the goal of CAPS that learners, “express and justify, orally and in writing, their own ideas, views and emotions confidently in order to become independent and analytical thinkers” (Department of Education, 2011: 9).

I will:

 Learners will be given time to prepare for a job interview at the company of their