THE COMMUNICATIVE APPROACH

The Main Theories:

Communicative Approach (CA) is based on learning by communicative patterns in target language.

It is a student and communication centered approach.

Authenticity in language learning process is one of the most important factors.

Meaning has a prior function in learning, so materials which are used in class must be authentic and contextual.

The Other Features of Communicative Approach

Interaction among students are crucial and must be led and enhanced by the teacher.

Learning lifestyles, daily habits and body language differences between two languages (target and native language) are important, so culture is another important factor in CA.

Teacher is not dominant in learning periods and it helps students to feel themselves more relaxed and freer in the class.

Teacher is a facilitator of learning and responsible for leading students and activities. S/he monitors the students and his/her main job is to decrease the threatening factors in the class.

Students are communicators and have a big responsibility in their own learning processes.

Student - student and teacher – student interactions are seen constantly, this approach mainly bases upon interaction.

Students make use of interactive activities such as group works, pair works, discussions and etc.

Meaning is a very crucial factor in vocabulary teaching. Vocabulary is taught by means of visual aids and a lot of authentic materials such as newspapers, letters, time tables, English TV channels and etc.

Grammar teaching can be viewed in two ways: Some structures in grammar may have more than one function and some of them may have just one function.

For example;

When asking for a permission (two forms / one function)

May I come in? (first form for asking for permission)

Would you let me come in? (second form for asking for permission)

The “Can” Modal (one form / more than one function)

We can carry this bag. (ability function)

It can be cloudy tonight. (possibility function)

Real life materials are good for learners’ gaining target culture by authentic materials.

Task based activities encourage students to be more active and social in the class.

Native language is not necessary in CA because the main purpose is to expose students to target language use.

Target language use is a means for communication rather than an end.

Accuracy and fluency are evaluated by integrative and communicative tests.

Improvisational activities can be a good means of evaluation of students oral performances.

The main goal is to make the students communicatively competent in target language.

Students should know the grammatical forms and their functions.

Errors can be tolerated  because they are natural results in learning processes.

Students’ motivation is very important and they must feel themselves secure and relaxed in classes.

Role play activities, games and such enjoyable activities must be carried out to make the class atmosphere better.

Giving the students learning responsibility, using authentic materials, carrying out games and role play activities are good teaching techniques in CA.

Speaking and listening skills are prior to the others, but reading and writing are also used in writing a letter to someone or reading texts.

Summarizing Keywords/Phrases:

Authenticity

Meaningful content

Communication

A relaxed atmosphere

Active learners

No native language use

Improvisation