Communicative Approach: An Innovative Tactic in English Language Teaching

Abstract

In 1970 a completely new approach in language teaching and learning with innovative attributes was introduced, which came to be well known as Communicative English. The same approach was launched in Bangladesh in the 90s with much enthusiasm.  The new approach with all the innovative and useful blessings met criticisms both from the academicians as well as the non-academicians for the lack of grammar and translation. Everyone happens to highlight the limitations of the new approach and held it responsible as a prime hindrance to language learning. The article attempts to address problems whether Communicative English is the prime solution of the problem the country is facing or the problem lies elsewhere. The study believes that the problem is not solely with the approach but with the other related auxiliaries as well.    The pedagogy, language learning and teaching strategies, teachers’ role in teaching a FL/SL and necessity of teacher training, feeble infrastructures, imperfect evaluation system etc. related to and responsible for the problem apart from the methodology of English language teaching and learning are held responsible for the failure of the approach.   In the light of the above-mentioned problems, the study proposes how the innovative and unfamiliar contents and technique can be made operative as an instructional method.  The paper also addresses a host of solutions like developing the teaching methodology, the outlook of the teachers as well as the students and their guardians towards the new approach with its innovative contents, suggestion for an eclectic method, innovative curriculum and evaluation system, etc. which are the various suggestions proposed by the author.

Keywords: Communicative, Bangladesh, ELT, CLT, Eclectic