Engage ESL Students with Fun Digital Activities for Numbers 16-20

Hey there, Joyful Journey Makers! 🌟 Today, we’re diving into a language teaching approach that has revolutionized classrooms across the globe: Communicative Language Teaching, or CLT. If you’re a teacher who’s tried various methods to engage your students in real-world conversations, this one’s for you! 🎉

We’ll break down what CLT is (and isn’t), the do’s and don’ts, and how it can be applied seamlessly in your language classroom. Then, I’ll introduce you to my ESL Journey with Numbers 16-20 Digital Presentation and show you how it embodies the CLT approach. Let’s jump in, shall we?

What is Communicative Language Teaching?

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) emerged as a response to the more traditional methods of language instruction, which often focused heavily on grammar rules and repetitive drills. The roots of CLT can be traced back to the 1970s, with British linguist David Wilkins playing a major role in its development. He argued that language is much more than just a set of grammatical structures—it’s a tool for communication. His work led to the idea that instead of focusing solely on accuracy and grammar, language teaching should prioritize the ability to communicate meaningfully in real-world situations.

So, what makes CLT different from earlier approaches? Before CLT, language teaching methods like the Grammar-Translation method and the Audio-Lingual method were all about mastering language rules and memorizing dialogues or phrases. There was little emphasis on context or real-world communication. Students could often recite grammatical rules perfectly but struggled to speak or understand the language in everyday conversations.

CLT flipped that on its head. Instead of drilling grammar until your brain goes numb (we’ve all been there, right?), CLT focuses on using language in meaningful, real-world contexts. It’s about fluency over accuracy and function over form. In CLT, the goal is for students to be able to express themselves and understand others—even if their grammar isn’t 100% perfect.

• It’s Meaningful: Students learn language by practicing what they’ll actually say in conversations, whether they’re asking for directions, ordering food, or introducing themselves.
• Focus on Fluency Over Accuracy: Mistakes are welcome here! The emphasis is on conveying meaning and becoming comfortable with language, not perfection.
• Interactive and Student-Centered: The teacher becomes more of a facilitator, guiding conversations and encouraging students to interact with each other.
• Context Matters: Language is taught in context, using scenarios that make sense for the students’ lives and experiences.

What Communicative Language Teaching Is NOT:

• Not Grammar-First: While grammar still has a place, it isn’t the main focus. Instead, grammar is introduced through meaningful conversation and real-world usage.
• Not Just Memorization: Sure, memorizing vocabulary has its place, but CLT encourages students to use that vocab in practical situations rather than just knowing the words by heart.
• Not Teacher-Centered: In CLT, the teacher isn’t doing all the talking. It’s all about creating opportunities for students to communicate and interact.

The Do’s and Don’ts of CLT in Your Classroom:

DO:

• Create interactive activities that encourage real-world language use.
• Provide feedback that encourages growth, not just error correction.
• Use authentic materials like videos, conversations, or songs in the target language to bring context into your classroom.

DON’T:

• Focus solely on accuracy—allow your students to make mistakes and learn from them.
• Rely on rote memorization without giving opportunities for real conversation.
• Be the center of attention—your students should be the ones driving the conversation.