Outline

__Overview (Notes from reading pages 116-118 in Teaching Language in Context)__ The Communicative Language Teaching approach is different from a method because it is a general philosophy that suggests guidelines to communicative language use rather than outlining specific teaching methods with specific end results. Because this approach seems to emphasize oral communication, its focus would have to make heavy use of questioning strategies not only to practice communication, but to check comprehension. Further, oral fluency would be an expected result of this result.

__List Pros or Positive Attributes__: One of the advantages of this approach is its ability to center learning around context. In designing lesson plans using this approach, the teacher would engage students easily by always emphasizing context. A teacher using this approach could be very creative in assigning projects, arranging for guest speakers and planning field trips outside the classroom.

Another advantage is that teachers could dispense with boring grammar lessons. Grammar would be inferrred rather than taught, though students would be encouraged to notice patterns and use comparisons to English structure.

__List Cons or Negative Attributes:__ One disadvantage to this approach is its open approach and the huge amount of activities that could be planned. As well, assessment is slightly more difficult, since its emphasis is on communication rather than exact grammatical structures. Assessment would have to be based on listening and speaking activities that make specific reference to the context of the material. These kinds of assessments are easily implemented given the appropriate technology, such as a language lab. Without access to technological tools, assessments could be lengthy, take away time on task and be at risk of subjectivity.