Language Teaching Vs. Communicative Approach

There are many methodologies of language teaching. Several different types of methodology have been applied in language teaching. They can be placed in two basic categories which are formal approach and an active approach. A formal approach is about form; grammar pronunciation, vocabulary. An active approach is functional or communicative; teaching form follows communicative functions. Many teachers refer to use an eclectic approach; depending on the needs of students. It is the best using a formal approach for some aspects and active techniques for other people. Formal approach is necessary but it is not enough on its own. An active approach is necessary too. Formal approach is essential for people’s background and base of language because

In this method, inside the classroom there should be different and certain functions. CLT(Communicative Language Teaching) is a flexible method. In Techniques&Principles in Language Teaching book, Larsen-Freeman asserts that “Others noted that being able to communicate required more than mastering linguistic structure, due to the fact that language was fundamentally social (Halliday 1973). Within a social context, language users needed to perform certain functions, such as promising, inviting, and declining invitations (Wilkins 1976). Students may know the rules of linguistic usage, but be unable to use the language (Widdowson 1978). In short, being able to communicate required more than linguistic competence; it required communicative competence (Hymes 1971)—knowing when and how to say what to whom. Such observations contributed to a shift in the field in the late 1970s and early 1980s from a linguistic structure-centered approach to a Communicative Approach (Widdowson 1990; Savignon 1997).” (157) CLT’s main goal is making communicative competence the aim of language teaching. Communicative approach is so significant that it can improve communication skills about learning a language. Klapper (2003) makes the point that because CLT lacks closely prescribed classroom techniques, as compared with some of the other methods we have just looked at, CLT is ‘fuzzy’ in teachers’ understanding. (157) Being fuzzy means that it is not clear and uncertain; fuzziness is not a negative feature. Fuzzy logic is known as multi-valued and there are different values and degrees. For example, according to me, Lady Gaga is the most beautiful singer but it does not mean just visually and it is not just the physical appearance of her. This beauty includes her personality and her behaviors