developing your communicative competence

Developing Your Communicative Competence

Interactive English, Listening, Speaking and Grammar

Theory of Communicative Competence• Knowledge about the form or structure of a language

isn’t a guarantee of being able to use it in actual communication situations.

• No evidence that students who do well on tests will excel in their careers.

• Castillo: from form and structure of language to functions of language.

• Language learning needs and communications situations become the crucial point of teaching.

Theory of Communicative Competence

Theory of Communicative Competence• Focused on grammar or rules of correct

usage for one’s language structure or form mastery.

• Basic Principle of a structure-based language teaching method: Audio-Lingual method or the Aural-Oral approach (new key approach to language teaching)


Theory of Communicative Competence• The advent of a new belief: language is

acquired in the context of natural situations.• Language Competence is seen as focusing

not on grammar or the structure of language alone but on its wider SOCIO-CULTURAL AND EXTRA-LINGUISTIC CONTEXT.


Theory of Communicative Competence• Framework of communicative

competence is associated with notions of language functions. (language functions – grammatical points)

• Grammatical Competence is mastery of the linguistic code; the ability to recognize:


Theory of Communicative Competence• lexical (spelling), • morphological (meaning-bearing units of

a language),• syntactical (meaning), • and phonological (sounds) features to

form words and sentences.


Theory of Communicative Competence• Learners in a communicative classroom learn to

use a rule of usage/grammar, not to state as was the intent of language teaching using the audio-linguistic method.

• In Communicative Approach, both form/structure and meaning in language are emphasized

• Language use and usage are two different aspects.


Theory of Communicative Competence4 Dimensions of Communicative Comp.:• 1. Grammatical Competence – linguistic

competence, mastery of linguistic code, ability to recognize the lexical (spelling), morphological (meaning-bearing units of a language), syntactical (meaning), and phonological (sounds) features to form words and sentences demonstrated by the ability to use a rule, not to state a rule.


Theory of Communicative Competence4 Dimensions of Communicative Comp.:• 2. Sociolinguistic Competence – understanding

and knowledge of the social rules of language. The social context in which language is used; the roles of participants; the information they share and the function of interaction has to do with the appropriateness of an utterance.


Theory of Communicative Competence4 Dimensions of Communicative Comp.:• 3. Discourse Competence – ability to produce

and understand a series of utterances that form a meaningful whole

• 4. Strategic Competence – ability to compensate for the communication breakdown and for imperfect knowledge of rules; like coping or survival strategies.


Theory of Communicative Competence• Language Teaching Approach = Rules of

Usage and Rules in Language or CLT• CLT – Communicative Language Teaching

or CA (Communicative Approach)

Communication Principles

Theory of Communicative CompetencePrinciples of CLT or CA:• 1. Communication involves much more than

simply knowledge of forms; depends on the ability to use forms in appropriate ways.

• Not only knowing the rules of grammar but also how to use the language skills in socio-cultural context the learners are exposed to.


Theory of Communicative CompetencePrinciples of CLT or CA:• 2. Communication should result in the

performance of some real and specific tasks in a foreign language.

• This calls for the ability of the language learner to use language in actual situations


Theory of Communicative CompetencePrinciples of CLT or CA:• 3. Communication cannot be easily analyzed into component

features without its nature being destroyed in the process.• It’s not enough to be able to decipher or produce individual

elements of the message. What is needed is the ability to work in the context of the whole.

• The meaning of the message should not be taken based on individual elements but the whole meaning of the message.


Theory of Communicative CompetencePrinciples of CLT or CA:• 4. The 3 vital processes of communication are as follows• A. Information gap. Communication entails information

transfer in order to connect lapses interaction.• B. Choice. Communication involves choosing the ideas to

be expressed at a given moment and likewise adopting the appropriate linguistic forms to verbalize such concepts.


Theory of Communicative CompetencePrinciples of CLT or CA:• C. Feedback. Communication must

adequately provide practice in using language for real purposes that is the verbalization of the speaker’s aims in everyday interaction.


Theory of Communicative Competence• 5. The aforementioned processes of

communication can be solely implemented through practicing communicative activities thus affirming a cardinal tenet of learning – that is, one learns to do by doing.


Theory of Communicative Competence• 6. Communication is severely hampered

by a number of glaring grammatical and phonological mistakes


Theory of Communicative Competence• Inferred by authorities in the field of

language teaching methodology:• 1. The emphasis of the communicative

approach lends heavily on teaching communication competence, socio-linguistic competence (Canale and Swain: 1980)

Salient Features of the CA

Theory of Communicative Competence• 2. The communicative approach affords

the second language learners optimum practice in the use of the target language in as much as the corresponding repertoire of communicative techniques and activities promote greater interaction between learner and teacher and among learners.


Theory of Communicative Competence• 3. The communicative method’s concentration on

aspects of the use of language results in the commission of mistakes, particularly of grammar; however, formal accuracy must be sacrificed for language use.

• Obvious errors in language forms though, demand the language teacher’s immediate attention and rectification (correction) (Morrow: 1994)


Theory of Communicative Competence• 4. Learning to use the language at the

discourse or above the sentence level offers the students adequate activities in cohesion (how we join sentences together to form grammatical units) and coherence (how we organize our sentences to form sense units, a meaningful flow of ideas). (Freeman: 1986)


Theory of Communicative CompetenceGrammatical units

• Morpheme- smallest unit of speech• word- meaningful unit• phrase- string of words• clause- group of words

• Sentence- meaningful linguistic unit


Theory of Communicative CompetenceGrammatical units

E.g.The man whom you have seen is one of the best Vietnamese pianists.


Theory of Communicative Competence• 5. In communicative-oriented classrooms, the

seating arrangement adopted concretizes the invariable nature of group dynamics – that is, chairs are arranged in small groups, not in regimental rows.

• Such convenient structuring ensures maximum structuring and maximum student interaction and participation. (Morrow: 1993)


Theory of Communicative Competence• 6. The teacher facilitates his/her students’

learning by establishing situations likely to promote communication.

• During the activities, s/he likewise acts as an advisor – that is, answering students’ questions and monitoring as a co-communicator and engages in the communicative activity along with the students (Morrow: 1993).


Theory of Communicative Competence• 1. Speaking. A communicative approach

to speaking emphasizes the use of language above the level of the sentence.

• 2. Listening. This language skill cannot be isolated from other language skills.

4 Skills in CLT

Theory of Communicative Competence• 3. Reading. Reading is carried out for the purpose. It is

done in order to obtain information which is presented in written form.

• The trend in current practice is towards developing reading techniques such as scanning (to locate a known item), search reading (for information), skimming (to gain an idea of the organization of the text), receptive reading (to discover accurately what the writer wishes to convey), and responsive reading (to reflect upon what the writer has written). (White: 1993)

4 Skills in CLT

Theory of Communicative Competence• 1. Role PlayingHighlightsReduces the artificiality of the classroomProvides a reason for talkingAllows the learner to talk meaningfully to other learners.Enables the students to choose whatever language he or she pleasesDevelops the character of situation as the student wishes

Procedures & Techniques

Theory of Communicative CompetenceProcedures• Setting of the situation. The teacher outlines the

situation for the students to understand the nature of the role play.

• Role Preparation. The teacher allows the students to choose for themselves.

• The Role Play. A role play involve the whole class but more often the smaller groups within the class.


Theory of Communicative CompetenceProcedures• Follow up. A role play can be followed-up

in two ways: a) Corrections – During the role play, the teacher should have been making notes of mistakes and the most serious ones pointed out afterwards;


Theory of Communicative CompetenceProcedures• b) Conversation and further activity –

Most role plays lend themselves to discussion. Students can be asked to write their own role play in the form of language.


Theory of Communicative Competence• 2. SimulationsHighlights• Invites participation from students.• Provides opportunities for creativity and

imagination.• Offers those involved in the simulation a

chance to develop self-confidence and exercise strategic competence.


Theory of Communicative CompetenceProcedures• Preparation• The Simulation• Follow-Up: Correction and further

activity


Theory of Communicative Competence3. GamesHighlights• Fosters natural, creative, authentic

language behavior• Involves the use of functional categories

which will have wider applications


Theory of Communicative CompetenceThe Technique• Based on observation and memory• Based on interpretation• Based on individual/group interaction• Board Games, e.g. monopoly• Card games, e.g. Tarot• Pencil and paper games


Sample Activities to Develop CARole Playing and Simulations

Example 1Look at a Road Map (Either duplicated or projected)A stranger standing at point A asks the way to the bank1. Excuse me.2. Yes?3. Could you tell me how to get to the bank, please?

4. Yes, of course. Go along this road as far as the traffic lights. Then turn right into Kalaw Street and its on the left.5. Is it far?6. No, not very far.7. Thank you very much.8. You’re welcome.

Example 2Now, get a pair, taking turns to ask for and give directions to a stranger standing at a certain point who:1. Wants to get to the City Hall2. Wants to get to the post office3. Wants to get to the church4. Wants to get to the Fernando’s Supermarket5. Wants to get to the GSIS

Example 3Topic: The Miss Universe Pageant to take place in CCP Manila Bay• The planning committees work on finance, program, social

activities etc.• A television newscast with interviews of key personalities• A scene at the airport where one of the contestants has lost

her luggage, and other similar activities.• Listening to discussions and interviews of beauty contestants.• Reading proposed financial report, agenda items, and

proposal to set the scene.• Writing of invitations, planned questions for interviews…

Example 4At the Post Office (Sturtridge: 1993)A. I’d like to post this __________ please.B. Put it on the scales. Where to?A. To________________________.B. That’ll be________________________.A.________________________________.B.________________________________.

Example 5The Invitation (Sturtridge: 1993)You meet your friend B at the supermarket. You are having a party on Saturday and you would like B to come. The party is informal. Tell B what time to come. Say how glad you are that s/he is coming.Cues:- We’re having a party…- Are you doing anything on Saturday?- It’s very informal…- Come as you are.- That’s great. - That’ll be lovely

Example 6Borrowing Something (2 friends)

A BAsk B to lend you something. ___________________________________________ Ask reason.Give reason Agree: add a conditionAgree Give object to A (words or action)Thank B ____________________End of Conversation

developing your communicative competence

Documents

language competence

communicative approach

sociolinguistic competence

dimensions of communicative

communicative classroom

structure of language

language use

discourse competence