Week 2

Lecture 1
Communicative Language teaching
vs
Traditional LT.
Basic communicative principles

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHING
(Main features)
• Emerged in Europe in 70s & spread worldwide (new
global situation in Europe, new needs).
• CLT is based on developments in Applied linguistics
supporting a new view of language:
Meaning is created in context (Functionalism)
We use language to do things (Pragmatics)
Language must be purposeful and contextualised
Sentences are parts of a text (Discourse analysis)
 We need to teach the structure of texts (not only the
structure of sentences)

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE
TEACHING
Richards & Rodgers (2000) establish 3 key principles
1. Communication principle: SLA takes place by using
language in communication.
• sharing information (information gap is needed)
• negotiation of meaning
• Interaction
2. Task principle:
• L2 is used to achieve an outcome
• L2 is used for purpose (contextualized)
3. Meaningfulness principle: learning will take place if
we use language related to students’ interests, realistic,
useful, etc.
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 LET’S COMPARE
Traditional
methods
Vs
Communicative
Language
Teaching

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 WHAT IS LANGUAGE?

Traditional
methods
Vs
Communicative
Language
Teaching
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 DIFFERENT VIEWS ON LANGUAGE:
Traditional view of the language:
• Structuralist theory: Language = form (a set of
rules to be learned)+ lexis
• Language is the object of study. Learners
expected to study & learn facts about language.

Communicative view of the language:

• Language = tool for communication
• Language is used to do things in context.
• Learners must learn to use language creatively
(in new unexpected ways)
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 HOW ARE SECOND
LANGUAGES ACQUIRED?

Traditional
methods
Vs
Communicative
Language
Teaching
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 CLT PRINCIPLES: LEARN L2 BY USING IT

To be+verb+ING

Have+ -ED+

For+ING
(purpose)

L2 grammar is learnt by using them in

communication, not by presenting and
studying the forms
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 DIFFERENT MODELS OF SLA
• L2 rules are acquired through conscious study and
practice with exercises (traditional view)
• L2 structures are acquired through imitation and
repetitive practice with drills (Audiolingual method).
• Comprehensible input (Krashen’s monitor model):
 Teacher must provide extensive exposure to input,
 Make input comprehensible (teacher talk adapted),
 use rich and natural input
• Communicative interaction:
 Provide activities where SS interact and negotiate
meaning
 Provide opportunities to use language creatively and
produce both rehearsed and unrehearsed discourse
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 HOW DOES SLA TAKE PLACE?
Other factors in SLA: FL Teachers should:
• Comprehensible Output* plan communicative tasks
with stages, presentations, etc
• Feedback Provide corrective feedback
• Attention to language forms Activities focusing on form in
different ways: implicit, explicit,
(Individual variables): incidental teaching, etc.
• Motivation
 Develop SS motivation
• Learning styles and types of  attend to different styles/
intelligence different entry & exit points

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 HOW SHOULD WE TEACH A
FOREIGN LANGUAGE?

Traditional
methods
Vs
Communicative
Language
Teaching
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 Traditional view of FL Teaching
Objective: to know the L2 system
 Language is adapted I like
apples

 High-structure classess: T in control

 Teacher models L2 & SS repeat &
memorise (<8 yrs)
 T describes L2 forms & SS study rules
& practice them (>8 yrs)
 Focus on accuracy; mistakes are not
accepted
 Learning is linear: Students learn
what (and when!) they are taught
and one thing at a time
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 Communicative view of FL Teaching
Objective: to learn to use/ do things
with language
 Language is natural/ authentic
 Low-structure tasks: SS have control
 Teacher gives students opportunities
to receive input and to interact freely
& produce in the L2
 Focus on meaning! Communication
must be fluent and effective.
Learning is organic: Students learn
many things at a time; they learn when
they are ready
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 CLT PRINCIPLES: NATURAL LANGUAGE

In most traditional
methods dialogues
are repetitive
In CLT (oral and
written) texts seem
natural, like those
we find in real life

Which of these
dialogues seems
more natural?

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 CLT PRINCIPLES: NATURAL LANGUAGE

In CLT (oral and written) texts seem

similar to those we find in real life
In those texts language is used to do
things (perform different functions)

Can you identify the different

functions that are performed in this
reading dialogue?

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 CLT PRINCIPLES: CONTROL OVER LANGUAGE
Last week-end we went
shopping. My mom said that
grandma would come and
visit us next week so we had
to buy a new bed for the
guest-room. My dad said he
preferred…

In CLT the teacher has little control over

the L2 used (Low-structure activities)

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 CLT PRINCIPLES: GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT
Grammar and context are Some thieves are
closely related: grammar trying to break into
my house!!
choices are appropriate re
the context & purpose of
communication

I am running!*

Meaning is context related (the

context in which a sentence is
uttered affects its meaning)
What we say and the way we
say it depends on context!!!
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
See reading 1, Nunan (1999: 107-111)
 CLT PRINCIPLES: FOCUS ON MEANING

Really? How Saturday my father

interesting!! and we go together to
park with attractions.
Like this! Was very
funny!

In CLT focus is on conveying

meaning, not on the study of forms
or on accuracy.
Dialogues are not memorised.
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 THE LINEAR vs ORGANIC VIEW

Learners acquire one Learners acquire (grow)

grammar item at a time. many L2 items at the same
They master one form and time and imperfectly (little
the move on to the next by little).
Grammar is presented & Grammar is learnt through
practiced in isolation
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed. natural use & in context
 Let’s look at
some
examples!

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 In which of these activities is the
language used communicatively?
Unit 1. To have Unit 1: Plants
This is a cat This is a balsam plant
It is black It is red
It has legs It has leaves, but no flowers
It has a tail It has a long stem
It has… You cannot eat it but you can…

Mathematics: Calculate the size of a…/ the area of…

Social science: Listen to the story of the first king of Aragon
Science: classify plants/fruits based on when they grow…
Arts: Follow instructions in order to build a model house

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 In which of these examples is the
language used communicatively?
No information Information gap
gap Purpose: to
No purpose describe a plant
L2 use is not L2 use is
natural or adapted
authentic Aim of teacher:
Aim: to practice to teach about
a structure the plant

Information gap
Purpose: to solve problems,
learn about the king of Aragon,
follow instructions using the L2
L2 use may adapted
Aim of Teacher: to teach
different subjects using /having
students use the language
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 AUTHENTICITY
Example 1: Example 2: Read Nasareen’s email
A letter to a friend
I went to the USA
I went to NY
I saw the statue of Liberty
I travelled by plane

From: Rooftops 4
Example 3: Oral Interaction
Where did you go for your holiday? – I went to NY
What did you do? – I saw the statue of Liberty
How did you travel? – I travelled by plane.
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 AUTHENTICITY
Example 1: Example 2: Read Nasareen’s email
A letter to a friend
I went to the USA
I went to NY
I saw the statue of Liberty
I travelled by plane

From: Rooftops 4
Example 3: Oral Interaction
Where did you go for your holiday? – I went to NY
What did you do? – I saw the statue of Liberty
How did you travel? – I travelled by plane.
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 PURPOSE
Examples option 1:
1. Write a composition describing your house
2. Read this text with information about France
3. Describe a person in a picture/describe the clothes
you are wearing

Examples option 2:
1. Write an email to an American who wants to switch
houses with your parents
2. Browse a website and find out how to get to
Disneyworld from the airport, prices, discounts, etc.
3. Yesterday you found a sweater in the playground
Describe the person you gave the sweater to.
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 NATURAL LANGUAGE
What is the purpose
of the text?
The text is used as a
vehicle to introduce
key language
Content is secondary

Is language rich in
structures and
functions?

The visuals show pods in But the text does not Language is graded.
a plant and seeds in a really provide Text only includes
pod (thus helping clarify relevant and new structures previously
meaning) information presented & practiced
 COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHING
(Summary)
(Conveying) meaning, not form, is paramount
Natural and authentic language is used
Contextualised & purposeful activities
Grammar is learnt in context
Teaching AIMS:
 Ability to communicate effectively
 fluency & intelligibility
Teacher must provide SS with opportunities for
input and interaction (to promote SLA)
The teacher does not control L2 use; Learners
use language creatively
Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.
 Homework:
EVALUATING
RESOURCES
1. Evaluate the following sample materials
(1-7) based on how they comply with
the principles of CLT we have studied
2. Log on to socrative.com and answer the
questions on these materials

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 SAMPLE 1

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 SAMPLE 2

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 SAMPLE 3

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 SAMPLE 4

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 SAMPLE 5

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 SAMPLE 6- WRITING

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.

 SAMPLE 7
An Experiment

Enrique Lafuente – Resources for FLT in Primary Ed.