ESL Academic Language Communication Method

Teaching Language Communication (CLT) is a method that aims to acquire speaking skills rather than language skills through communication with learners. Born in the 1980s, this language teaching strategy is based on the philosophy that, in order to learn a language, one has to become accustomed to using that language in order to convey meaning to others.

 

Teachers who use the CLT method in English as Second Language (ESL) classes encourage students to use English. In order to promote meaningful language use, ESL teachers can use activities that encourage students to speak in practical activities. Collaboration is both the means and the purpose of ESL education.

 

Speak Speech

In an ESL classroom that uses the CLT method, students talk a lot. This allows students to practice speaking in English, to continue speaking to themselves, rather than to listen to the teacher's speech. ESL teachers can encourage students to work together on small direct adjustments. The purpose of communication is for learners to become proficient in English without fear of being misunderstood or making mistakes when learning a new language.

 

Instead of interrupting or correcting students when they make mistakes, instructors using the CLT method may use indirect feedback or discussion redirect that does not interrupt the conversation. They may change the grammar of the wrong language (e.g., "his shoes are old" can be answered with, "yes, his shoes are OLD") to give students additional clues for further discussion. However, variables such as age and expertise may influence how direct and indirect feedback works in classes using the CLT method.

 

Real-Life Conditions

To encourage meaningful interaction, ESL teachers can use a variety of individual and meaningful tasks. Students may engage in real-life role-playing activities such as discussing their interests and popular culture, discussing prices when purchasing, or describing the content of a book or movie they have just enjoyed. Focused on using real-world contexts to allow students to become accustomed to using the vernacular and content rather than learning the rules of grammar and structure. Strategies include modeling, repetition, pairing, and group work to help students develop communication skills.

 

Working Together

CLT activities are most effective when they allow students to work together in pairs or groups. This mimics real communication that promotes fluency and language skills. Research has found that ESL students often feel confident and free to practice their language skills and ideas when working with other students. As they work with other English Language Students (ELLs), they often feel safe when speaking without fear of making mistakes.

 

Integrating and connecting learners also encourages participation in-class activities. For example, one may have students work together to play a game where they have to explain something to each other in English so that their peers can guess what the object is. Having students work together not only encourages them to engage in the language in a meaningful way but also has the potential to improve the ESL class and promote active participation

 

Integrate Reading, Writing, and Speaking

However, research has found that these conversational methods of matching and integration alone are not sufficient to promote active participation in ESL classes. Instructors who use the CLT method may include reading, writing, and listening, as these skills are essential for the development of ELLs as English-speaking.

 

The integrated approach to skills in CLT brings these great language skills together in the workplace. For example, teachers may ask students to watch a video online (listener), post their opinion on the comments section (writing), and explain the opinions of others in the comment section (reading). Multi-language activities can enhance interactive ESL education by giving students the opportunity to practice multiple skills while also giving teachers the opportunity to practice best practices in each of these ways.