| Sometimes as a learner you have to take control. | | | | encounter this kind of approach when you meet |
| Choosing a language partner is often circumstantial | | | | someone you are interested in getting to know yet |
| and not at all related to their ability as an instructor. | | | | don't share a common language. Your need to |
| Even when you are paying for lessons you can never | | | | communicate to do simple everyday activities allows |
| be sure that the instructor has the proper theoretical | | | | you to learn through trial and error. |
| foundation for teaching languages. Armed with a little | | | | 2. Weak CLT: Learners learn through a wide variety |
| bit of knowledge about how languages are learned | | | | of activities, texts, exercises and tasks with an |
| and your personal preferences you can make the | | | | emphasis on speaking and listening. You might |
| most of the exchange. | | | | encounter this approach in a community language |
| Let's learn about one of the most popular | | | | exchange setting where a member of the local |
| approaches to teaching and learning languages, the | | | | community is designated as the teacher and you the |
| communicative approach. You know, the one your | | | | learner. This type of learning is often supported by |
| teacher probably doesn't even know they're are | | | | texts but the quality of the instructor is highly |
| using. Communicative Language Teaching or CLT for | | | | variable and may have a large impact on the amount |
| short, is one of the most widely used yet often | | | | of learning that occurs. |
| misapplied approaches to language learning. It is based | | | | Making the most out of either situation requires you |
| on the belief that learners learn best when they are | | | | to understand the differences and learn how to bend |
| engaged in meaningful communication. | | | | the experience to meet your needs. If your |
| | | | instructor can't name or justify their approach then |
| 1. Strong CLT: Learners learn by being involved in | | | | you may have to step in and structure things to |
| communicative tasks with little support from | | | | your advantage, or find another instructor. |
| traditional teaching text and practice. You might | | | | |