Journal of English Language Teaching

Enhancing Communicative Competence of Undergraduate Students Using Communicative Language Teaching Approach (CLT)

Dr. Jimmy Sharma

Assistant Professor (English), IIHS, Kurukshetra University, Haryana India

Keywords: Communicative competence, Communicative Language Teaching, language skills, digital language education

---

Abstract

English language teaching has been undergoing consistent modifications in terms of applying methods and approaches. With the rapid advancement of technology and its use in English classrooms, classroom activities, students’ participation and teachers’ involvement have also undergone many changes there by paving way for a cooperative approach to English language learning. Traditional methodologies focus on proficiency in different aspects of grammar and through controlled activities like memorisation of dialogues and drills, pair work activities, role plays, group work activities and project work. CLT emerged in the 1970s and 1980s when the attention from grammatical competence shifted to the knowledge and skills needed to use grammar and other features of language suitable for different communicative purposes such as making requests, giving advice, making suggestions, and describing ideas and emotions and so on.  The present paper attempts to outline the main principles of CLT and its application in a language classroom. In addition to this, the research shows the role digital education plays in enhancing learners’ academic performance, enthusiasm and process of learning. The paper concludes with notable results that might motivate teachers, researchers and professional educators to employ the approach in their regular teaching.

---

References

Asher, J. J. (1966). The learning strategy of the Total Physical Response: A review. Modern Language Journal, 50, 79­84.

Breen, M. P. (1987). “Contemporary Paradigms in Syllabus Design.” Language Teaching Vol. 20.3: 157­174.

Brown, H.D. (2001). Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy (2 nd Ed.). New York: Pearson Education.

Canale M., M. Swain. (1980). “Theoretical Bases of Communicative Approaches to Second Language Teaching and Testing. Applied Linguistics, Vol. 1, 1­ 47.

Celce­Murcia, Z. Dornyei, S. Thurrell. (1995). “Communicative Competence: A Pedagogically Motivated Model with Content Specifications.” Issues in Applied Linguistics, 6 (2), 5­35.

Hymes, D. H. (1971). On communicative Competence. In J. Pride and J. Holmes (Eds.), Sociolinguistics. Penguin, 1972. (Excerpt from the paper published 1971, Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press.

Kumaravadivelu, B. (2006) “TESOL Methods: Changing Tracks, Challenging Trends.” TESOL Quarterly, 40 (1), 59­81.

—————(2001) “Toward a Post Method Pedagogy.” TESOL Quarterly, Vol 35 (4), 537560.

Larsen­Freeman, D. (2000). Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching. (2nd ed.). UK: Oxford University Press.

Littlewood, W. (1981). Communicative Language Teaching. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Long, M. H. (1985). A Role for Instruction in Second Language Acquisition: Task-Based Language Teaching.

Nunan, D. (1987). Communicative Language Teaching: Making it work. ELT Journal, Vol. 38(2), 136­145

Nunan, D. (1999). Second Language Teaching & Learning. Massachusetts: Heinle & Heinle Publishers.

Power T. (2003). Communicative Language Teaching: The appeal and poverty of Communicative Language Teaching. TESOL Quarterly, 25 (7), 87­96. Retrieved March 22, 2022 from http://www.tedpower.co.uk/ esl0404.html

Prabhu, N. S. (1987). Second Language Pedagogy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Richards J.C. & T.S. Rodgers. (1986). Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Richards, J. C. (2006). Communicative Language Teaching Today. SEAMEO Regional Language Centre.

Sato, K., & Kleinsasser, R.C. (1999). Communicative Language Teaching (CLT): Practical Understandings. The Modern Language Journal, 83 (4), 494­515.

Skehan, P. (1998). A Cognitive Approach to Language Learning. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Wallace, M.J. (2000). Action Research for Language Teachers. Cambridge University Press.

Widdowson, H. (2011). Handbook of Foreign Language Communication and Learning, 6, 193­218.