Communicative Language Teaching: Learning through Communication and Meaning

 Language learning is no longer viewed as a structured, repetitive process. Instead, modern language teaching approaches aim to provide students with opportunities to learn in authentic, meaningful contexts. Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) is one such approach that focuses on communication and meaning, rather than form and structure.


Developed in the 1960s, CLT incorporates many aspects of other language teaching methods, but it is viewed as an approach rather than a method. The main goal of this approach is to help students develop their language system by providing them with opportunities to use language to communicate in real-life situations.


CLT stresses the need for authentic communication in the classroom, allowing students to practice using language in a natural and engaging way. According to British linguist D.A. Wilkins, there are two types of meaning in language: notional meanings and communicative functions. Notional meanings include concepts such as time, sequence, quantity, location, and frequency. Communicative functions, on the other hand, include requests, denials, offers, and complaints. CLT emphasizes the importance of teaching students how to use language to perform these communicative functions.


In the CLT approach, the teacher’s role is that of a coach or resource, rather than a traditional instructor. The teacher facilitates learning by creating opportunities for students to communicate in real-life situations and by motivating them to use language in a meaningful way. Students are encouraged to work in pairs or small groups, and to take risks when using language to communicate. The focus is on the message, not just the language structure.


Needs analysis is a key component of the CLT approach. By analyzing the needs and goals of their students, teachers can create learning experiences that are relevant and meaningful. Task-based activities, social interaction activities, and functional activities are used to help students learn the language in context.


In summary, Communicative Language Teaching is an approach that prioritizes the development of communication skills over the learning of language structure. By providing students with opportunities to use language in real-life contexts, CLT aims to create engaging and meaningful learning experiences that help students develop their language skills.

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