Definition of the Communicative Approach to Language Teaching
Communicative Approach (grew out of the work of anthropological linguists, e.g., Hymes, 1972)
and Firthian linguists (e.g., Halliday, 1973), who view language first and foremost as a
system for communication).
- It is assumed that the goal of language teaching is learner ability to communicate in the target language.
- It is assumed that the content of a language course will include semantic notions and social functions,
not just linguistic structures.
- Students regularly work in groups or pairs to transfer (and, if necessary, negotiate) meaning in situations
where one person has information that the other(s) lack.
- Students often engage in role-play or dramatization to adjust their use of the target language to different
social contexts.
- Classroom materials and activities are often authentic to reflect real-life situations and demands.
- Skills are integrated from the beginning; a given activity might involve reading, speaking, listening,
and perhaps also writing.
- The teacher's role is primarily to facilitate communication and only secondarily to correct errors.
- The teacher should be able to use the target language fluently and appropriately.
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