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BS English Applied Linguistics
Applied Linguistics (ENG522)
Fall 2024
Assignment No. 1
Total Marks: 20
Q. Choose one language teaching method and analyse its

advantages and challenges in practice. Provide examples of how
you would implement this method in your teaching, considering
the specific needs and backgrounds of your students.
One commonly used language teaching method is the Communicative

Language Teaching (CLT) approach. CLT emphasizes interaction as both
the means and the ultimate goal of learning a language, focusing on real-
life communication skills rather than only grammar or vocabulary
memorization. This method has many advantages and challenges when
applied in practice.
Advantages of CLT
1. Focus on Communication Skills: CLT prioritizes the ability to

communicate effectively, helping students develop practical
language skills they can use in real-world settings. This approach
emphasizes fluency and comprehension, making it useful for
students needing language skills for travel, work, or social
interactions.
2. Engagement and Motivation: CLT involves interactive activities
like role-plays, group discussions, and simulations, which make
lessons effective and engaging. Such activities encourage active
participation, helping students feel more interested in their learning.
3. Cultural Awareness: CLT often includes cultural elements,
teaching students not only the language but also cultural norms and
nuances. This helps learners understand the social and cultural
contexts of the language, which is important for meaningful
communication.
4. Personalized Learning: CLT is flexible and to students’ needs.
Teachers can performs activities and topics based on students’
interests, backgrounds, and goals, creating a more learning
experience.
Challenges of CLT
1. Focus on Fluency Over Accuracy: CLT focus on fluency, which

can sometimes lead to a lack of focus on grammar or structural
accuracy. Students may develop bad habits or misunderstand
grammatical rules that are overlooked in favour of communication.
2. Teacher Training and Preparation: Effective CLT requires
teachers to be skilled in managing group dynamics and creating
meaningful, communicative activities. Teachers without sufficient
training or resources may struggle to implement CLT effectively.
3. Assessment Difficulties: Assessing communicative competence is
more complex than traditional assessments. It requires observing
students’ language use in context, which can be subjective and
time-consuming.
4. Challenges for Shy or Introverted Students: CLT relies heavily
on group interaction, which can be intimidating for shy or
introverted learners. These students may feel uncomfortable
speaking in front of others, avoid their participation and progress.
Implementing CLT in the Classroom
Example: Teaching a Class with Diverse Language Backgrounds
If I were teaching English to a group of adult learners from various cultural

and linguistic backgrounds, I would modify CLT to meet their specific
needs and contexts. Many of these students might need English for
practical, everyday use, while others might require it for academic or
professional purposes. Here’s how I might implement CLT in this context:
1. Role-Play and Real-Life Scenarios: I would use role-plays to

simulate real-life situations such as ordering food in a restaurant,
asking for directions, or attending a job interview. For instance, I
might assign roles in a “doctor’s office” scenario, where students
practice describing symptoms or understanding instructions. These
activities allow students to practice useful vocabulary and sentence
structures in a meaningful context.
2. Small Group Discussions: To encourage participation among all
students, I would organize small group discussions on familiar
topics. This helps students practice speaking while also learning
about each other’s cultures, fostering a sense of community in the
classroom. I might provide prompts or guiding questions to support
students who may be more reserved.
3. Task-Based Activities: I could assign task-based activities such as
planning a group trip, organizing an event, or solving a problem
together. These tasks require students to communicate effectively
to complete the activity. For example, if the task is to plan a trip,
students would need to discuss destinations, budget, activities, and
schedule, practicing various communicative functions (asking
questions, giving opinions, negotiating).
4. Error Correction and Feedback: To address the challenge of
grammatical accuracy, I would provide corrective feedback during
communicative activities. For instance, if a student makes an error
in tense while describing past events, I might reformulate the
sentence correctly without interrupting the flow of conversation,
allowing them to learn through example. Additionally, I could use
follow-up sessions focused on common mistakes observed during
activities.
5. Encouraging Cultural Awareness: CLT encourages learning
language in its cultural context. I would introduce students to
cultural idioms, gestures, and conversational norms in English-
speaking countries. For example, in a lesson on “small talk,” I might
discuss typical conversation starters in English and contrast these
with conversation norms in the students’ cultures, which can lead to
meaningful discussions on cultural differences.
Conclusion
Communicative Language Teaching is highly effective for building

practical communication skills, fostering cultural awareness, and engaging
students through interactive learning. However, it requires careful
planning to address challenges like balancing fluency and accuracy,
supporting introverted learners, and ensuring effective assessment. By
tailoring activities to the students’ specific needs and backgrounds,
teachers can tackle the strengths of CLT while addressing its challenges to
create a balanced and effective language learning experience.

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BS English Applied Linguistics

Applied Linguistics (ENG522)

Q. Choose one language teaching method and analyse its

One commonly used language teaching method is the Communicative

1. Focus on Communication Skills: CLT prioritizes the ability to

1. Focus on Fluency Over Accuracy: CLT focus on fluency, which

Implementing CLT in the Classroom

Example: Teaching a Class with Diverse Language Backgrounds

If I were teaching English to a group of adult learners from various cultural

1. Role-Play and Real-Life Scenarios: I would use role-plays to

Communicative Language Teaching is highly effective for building

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