By J. A. Ansah
Communicative Language Teaching is a dynamic, learner-centred approach that addresses the needs of English learners to use the language effectively in practical situations. By incorporating authentic materials, interactive tasks and real-world contexts, CLT prepares learners for real-life communication challenges. Overcoming the challenges of implementing Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) requires targeted strategies at multiple levels—teacher training, classroom management, curriculum design and resource development. Below is a detailed breakdown of practical solutions to address each category of challenges:
1. Teacher-Related Challenges
A. Enhancing Teacher Proficiency in English
- Solution:
- Professional Development: Provide ongoing training sessions focusing on communicative ability, classroom English application and pronunciation.
- Immersion Programmes: Arrange short-term study-abroad opportunities or virtual exchange programmes for teachers to practise real-life English communication.
- Collaborative Learning: Create teacher peer groups where colleagues practise language and share teaching approaches.
B. Familiarising Teachers with CLT Principles
- Solution:
- Workshops on CLT: Organise hands-on workshops where teachers learn by experiencing CLT activities themselves.
- Lesson Plan Templates: Provide practical, ready-to-use CLT lesson plans to help teachers apply the approach progressively.
- Mentorship: Pair less experienced teachers with skilled CLT practitioners to observe and co-teach.
C. Helping Teachers Adapt to New Roles
- Solution:
- Role-Playing for Teachers: Organise mock classrooms where teachers practise the facilitator role.
- Reflective Practice: Encourage teachers to reflect on their teaching methods and the impact of CLT on learners’ engagement.
2. Student-Related Challenges
A. Addressing Learner Resistance
- Solution:
- Gradual Introduction: Begin with structured communicative activities such as fill-in-the-blank dialogues and gradually move toward free communication tasks such debates.
- Clarify the Benefits: Discourse with learners how real-world communication skills will aid them to achieve their personal and professional goals.
B. Reducing Anxiety and Fear of Errors
- Solution:
- Safe Environment: Create a classroom culture where mistakes are seen as part of learning, e.g., by celebrating risk-taking in communication.
- Peer Support: Pair anxious learners with more confident peers for collaborative activities.
- Low-Stakes Activities: Use games and role-plays where the emphasis is on enjoyment instead of performance.
C. Bridging Linguistic Gaps
- Solution:
- Pre-Teaching Vocabulary: Introduce key terms and phrases before undertaking communicative tasks.
- Language Scaffolding: Use prompts and sentence hints to support learners in constructing sentences.
- Recycling Vocabulary: Frequently revisit previously taught words and structures in new contexts.
3. Contextual and Cultural Challenges
A. Adapting to Cultural Norms
- Solution:
- Combine Approaches: Blend CLT with traditional teaching approaches familiar to the local culture (e.g., integrating grammar instruction into communicative tasks).
- Respect Local Values: Design communicative tasks that align with cultural norms, such as group discussions instead of competitive debates in collectivist cultures.
B. Providing Exposure to Authentic Communication
- Solution:
- Technology: Use language exchange apps or connect learners with native speakers via online platforms.
- Local Contexts: Simulate real-life tasks applicable to the learners’ context, such as booking a bus ticket or conducting a job interview.
4. Resource-Related Challenges
A. Managing Large Classes
- Solution:
- Group Work: Divide the class into smaller groups with clear responsibilities for each member to ensure everyone participates.
- Peer Monitoring: Train student leaders to help in managing groups during communicative tasks.
- Technology Integration: Use apps like Zoom (for breakout rooms) or any other suitable one to facilitate small-group interactions even in large classrooms.
B. Providing Authentic Materials
- Solution:
- Create Custom Materials: Adapt texts, conversations or role-play scenarios from local contexts.
- Use Free Resources: Access free online resources such as podcasts (e.g., BBC Learning English) or videos on YouTube for listening and speaking practice.
C. Overcoming Technology Gaps
- Solution:
- Low-Tech Activities: Use printed materials, flashcards and board games for communicative activities.
- Community Collaboration: Collaborate with local businesses or community centres to sponsor resources like newspapers, magazines or donated computers.
5. Assessment Challenges
A. Aligning Assessment with Communicative Objectives
- Solution:
- Alternative Assessments: Substitute traditional grammar-focused tests with oral interviews, role-plays, group projects or presentations.
- Rubrics for Communication: Design clear rubrics that evaluate fluency, coherence, interaction and strategic competence.
B. Addressing Time Constraints
- Solution:
- Peer and Self-Assessment: Encourage learners to appraise themselves and their peers based on participation and use of language during communicative tasks.
- Selective Observation: Assess different groups or pairs during each activity to allot the workload over multiple sessions.
6. Institutional and Policy-Related Challenges
A. Reforming Exam-Oriented Curricula
- Solution:
- Curriculum Advocacy: Collaborate with policymakers to integrate communicative activities into standardised tests.
- Pilot Programmes: Demonstrate the efficacy of CLT through pilot programmes in selected classrooms to convince stakeholders of its benefits.
B. Gaining Administrative Support
- Solution:
- Awareness Campaigns: Present research-backed evidence of CLT’s effectiveness to school administrators.
- Cost-Effective Implementation: Demonstrate that CLT can be implemented using existing resources and simple adaptations.
7. Balancing Fluency and Accuracy
- Solution:
- Integrated Practice: Incorporate grammar-focused mini-lessons within communicative activities (e.g., practising past tense while narrating a story).
- Feedback Sessions: Deliver targeted feedback after tasks, addressing recurrent errors in a constructive manner.
Conclusion
The challenges of implementing CLT can be overcome with strategic interventions, resourcefulness and collaboration among teachers, learners and institutions. By focusing on gradual adaptation, leveraging technology and fostering supportive classroom environments, educators can successfully integrate CLT into diverse teaching contexts. The flexibility and learner-focussed nature of CLT ensure its relevance in equipping students with real-world communicative skills.
References
- Hymes, D. (1972). On communicative competence. In J. B. Pride & J. Holmes (Eds.), Sociolinguistics (pp. 269-293). Penguin.
- Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2001). Approaches and methods in language teaching (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- Littlewood, W. (1981). Communicative language teaching: An introduction. Cambridge University Press.
- Nunan, D. (1989). Designing tasks for the communicative classroom. Cambridge University Press.
