The communicative approach remains a cornerstone of modern English language teaching. While some believe the field has evolved beyond it, incorporating elements from various methodologies to suit specific contexts, the core principles of the communicative approach still heavily influence how many teachers view their role.
What is the Communicative Approach?
At its heart, the communicative approach prioritizes connecting people through language. It emphasizes using language for real-world communication, moving away from rote memorization and grammar drills in isolation. The content used in this approach is diverse, drawing from authentic materials like books, magazines, movies, newspapers, advertisements, and even restaurant menus.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite its widespread adoption, the communicative approach isn’t without its challenges:
- Lack of Clear Boundaries: Defining specific techniques and practices can be difficult due to the approach’s breadth.
- Information Overload: Teachers face an overwhelming amount of strategies and resources, making it hard to know where to focus.
- Diverse Learner Needs: Teachers are expected to cater to various learning styles, purposes, and contexts, requiring expertise in multiple areas.
- Vague Guidelines: Some feel the communicative approach lacks clear boundaries, leaving teachers without a clear concept of what to do in the classroom.
Common Techniques in the Communicative Approach
Despite these challenges, many effective techniques align with the communicative approach:
1. Authentic Materials
Bridging the gap between the classroom and the real world is crucial. Instead of relying solely on contrived textbook examples, teachers use authentic materials to expose students to natural language. While adaptation may be necessary for lower-level learners, the goal is to integrate vocabulary and grammar instruction with real-world content.
2. Sequencing Activities
Understanding communication cues is vital for effective interaction. Teachers use activities where students reorder mixed-up dialogues or paragraphs to understand the flow of ideas and how sentences connect. This applies to grammar instruction as well, helping students grasp sentence structure.
3. Language Games
Engagement is key to learning. Games should be purposeful, encouraging communication in the target language. Team-based games, for instance, promote interaction and language practice. Games can focus on language itself (e.g., forming sentences with word cards) or review previously learned concepts.
4. Information Gap
Communication should have a specific purpose. Information gap activities create a need for students to exchange information, simulating real-world scenarios where people communicate to obtain knowledge from others.
5. Role Plays
Role-playing provides a context for students to practice communicating in specific situations, such as ordering food in a restaurant. Students take on roles (waiter, customer, etc.) and use appropriate language to interact. Lower-level students might use provided dialogues, while advanced students create their own language. The focus is on effective communication and being understood.
You’re a smart Banana! *sticks gold star on your forehead*
Teacher Lizzy 
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