Communicative Approach In Teaching English

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COMMUNICATIVE APPROACH IN TEACHING ENGLISH AS L2: AN OVERVIEW
ABSTRACT:
In the long history of language learning, especially in the case of learning English as L2, educationalists have been tirelessly trying to explore more and more practical approaches that ranged from conventional methods like Grammar translation method, Direct method, Situational Language Teaching etc., to the latest mode of communicative approach. The conventional teaching methods - the unsuccessful result of the earlier language theories, were proved to be ineffective, because it was felt in all the methods, that the learners were passive and the teaching-learning process was mechanical. Hence during the 1960s, a new trend of language teaching called Communicative Language …show more content…

It is an approach in which the focus is mainly on communication and developing students’ ability to express their thoughts and ideas in an effective way. In order to achieve this goal, CLT helps the students use the target language (L2) in a variety of contexts and situations. Its primary focus is on helping learners create meaningful communication rather than forcing them to imbibe the syntax of the foreign language. Undoubtedly, the ability to learn a non-native language is determined by the pace with which the learners have developed communicative competence. This term refers to a learner 's ability to apply his or her knowledge of the language to communicate effectively. One example of communicative competence is to know how to use language, in different contexts in a very practical way both in formal or informal settings. This can be achieved through the use of communication strategies specially meant for CLT and the various classroom activities that naturally induces real …show more content…

Communicative Language Teaching is a “hybrid approach to language teaching, essentially ‘progressive’ rather than ‘traditional’…” (Wright, 2000)It is based on the theory that the principal function of language learning is communication. Hence the most fundamental principles of communicative approach is to make the learners engage in real–life situations that necessitate communication to attain ease in oral expression as well as accuracy in linguistic aspects. So its primary goal is for learners to develop ‘communicative competence’ (Hymes, 1971). The following are levels of objectives in a communicative approach ( Piepho (1981)
 an integrative and content level (language as a means of expression)
 a linguistic and instrumental level (language as a semiotic system and an object of

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