Implementing CLT at Higher Secondary Level in Bangladesh: A Review of Change Management

Abstract

CLT (Communicative Language Teaching) was substituted for GTM (Grammar Translation Method) at higher secondary level in Bangladesh in 2001. This replacement of ELT method was a significant change in the English curriculum. This study aimed to determine that the mismanagement of the change is a prime cause of not getting expected CLT outcomes at higher secondary education in Bangladesh. Having been qualitative in nature, this research used secondary sources of information and interpreted the findings in words to present the reality of CLT in Bangladesh. The major findings were: clarifying possible change to employees through communication, involving employees in the change process, and training them so that they can cope with the change. The study also found that the present CLT situation in Bangladesh is not in a satisfactory level. The result of the study demonstrated that proper change management principles were not followed when introducing CLT into education system. The study presents some suggestions for retrieving the current CLT situations in Bangladesh.

Keywords: communicative language teaching; change management; communication; implementation; Ministry of Education; Bangladesh