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Audio-lingual Method Communicative Language Teaching

Attends to structure and form more than


Meaning is paramount.
meaning.

Demands memorization of structure-based Dialogs, if used, center around


dialogs. communicative functions and are not
normally memorized.

Language items are not necessarily


Contextualization is a basic premise.
contextualized.

Language learning is learning structures, Language learning is learning to


sounds, or words. communicate.

Mastery, or "over-learning" is sought. Effective communication is sought.

Drilling is a central technique. Drilling may occur, but peripherally.

Native-speaker-like pronunciation is sought. Comprehensible pronunciation is sought.

Any device which helps the learners


Grammatical explanation is avoided. is accepted — varying according to
their age, interest, etc.

Communicative activities only come after a Attempts to communicate may be encouraged


long process of rigid drills and exercises from the very beginning.

The use of the student's native language is Judicious use of native language is accepted
forbidden. where feasible.

Translation may be used where students need


Translation is forbidden at early levels
or benefit from it.

Reading and writing are deferred till speech is Reading and writing can start from the first
mastered. day, if desired.
The target linguistic system will be learned The target linguistic system will be
through the overt teaching of the patterns of learned best through the process
the system. of struggling to communicate.
Communicative competence is the desired
Linguistic competence is the desired goal. goal (i.e. the ability to use the linguistic
system effectively and appropriately).
Linguistic variation is a central concept in
Varieties of language are recognized but not
materials and methodology.
emphasized.

Sequencing is determined by any


The sequence of units is determined solely by
consideration of content, function, or meaning
principles of linguistic complexity.
which maintains interest.
The teacher controls the learners and prevents Teachers help learners in any way that
them from doing anything that conflicts with motivates them to work with the language.
the theory.

"Language is habit" so errors must be Language is created by the individual often


prevented at all costs. through trial and error.

Fluency and acceptable language is the


Accuracy, in terms of formal correctness, is a
primary goal: accuracy is judged not in the
primary goal.
abstract but in context.
Students are expected to interact with the Students are expected to interact with other
language system, embodied in machines or people, either in the flesh, through pair and
controlled materials group work, or in their writings.

The teacher is expected to specify the The teacher cannot know exactly what
language that students are to use. language the students will use.

Intrinsic motivation will spring from an


Intrinsic motivation will spring from an
interest in what is being communicated by the
interest in the structure of the language.
language.

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