Methodology11

COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHING (CLT)
Scope
In 1972, a new language course was proposed in Europe which aims to make communicative competence the goal of language teaching. Here the focus was on what the learner needed to understand and express through the target language and not on the accumulation of grammatical items and structures.
Objectives:
It aims to develop communicative competence in learners so that they become effective communicators in the target language.
The focus is on meanings and functions rather than on the form of the language.
It is the learner and his learning that are more important.
Language is acquired rather than learnt consciously.
The teacher facilitates language acquisition through problem solving activities and tasks which ensure learner participation and interaction.
The aim is to involve the learner in the learning process so that language develops automatically and spontaneously.
The aim is to involve the learner in the learning process so that language develops automatically and spontaneously.
All the four language skills- listening, speaking, reading and writing – receive equal treatment.
Critical Evaluation:
CLT is basically an eclectic approach to foreign language learning.
Class room learning involves lot of activities like group / pair work, language games, role – plays, simulations, question – answer sessions related to the students’ personal experiences.
Learning is not confined to any set of text books. Materials include newspapers, magazines, graphics, visuals, filmstrips, wall charts etc.
The class room is a hub of activities and the lessons are mostly task – based and problem solving solutions.