Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)
Communicative language teaching (CLT) is an approach to foreign or second language teaching which emphasizes communicative competence. Teaching materials used with a communicative approach teach the language needed to express and understand different kinds of functions, such as requesting, describing, or expressing likes and dislikes. Activities may include interviews, role-play, surveys, or language exchanges.
CLT is usually characterized as a broad approach to teaching, and it is usually defined as a list of general principles or features. One of the most recognized of these lists is David Nunan's (1991) five features of CLT:
- An emphasis on learning to communicate through interaction in the target language.
- The introduction of authentic texts into the learning situation.
- The provision of opportunities for learners to focus, not only on language but also on the learning process itself.
- An enhancement of the learner’s own personal experiences as important contributing elements to classroom learning.
- An attempt to link classroom language learning with language activities outside the classroom.
