This presentation offers general insights about the communicative approach syllabus.

1. The CommunicativeThe Communicative
Activities SyllabusActivities Syllabus
Johana Cifuentes AlvarezJohana Cifuentes Alvarez

2. Characteristics of a CommunicativeCharacteristics of a Communicative
Activities Syllabus (C.A.S)Activities Syllabus (C.A.S)
Authentic-real CommunicationAuthentic-real Communication
Communicative PurposeCommunicative Purpose
Focus on Meaning not formFocus on Meaning not form
Learner’s personal involvementLearner’s personal involvement
Communication from the beginningCommunication from the beginning
UnpredictablilityUnpredictablility
Integration of SkillsIntegration of Skills

3. Arguments favoring the C.A.SArguments favoring the C.A.S
 Code Communication DilemmaCode Communication Dilemma
 Problems in formal code teachingProblems in formal code teaching
 The Humpty Dumpty EffectThe Humpty Dumpty Effect
 The Complexity of the Linguistic SystemThe Complexity of the Linguistic System
 The Transfer levelThe Transfer level
 Subconscious learning EncouragementSubconscious learning Encouragement
 Coping techniques developmentCoping techniques development
 Personal Relationship with the communityPersonal Relationship with the community
 ““To be effective, the move from formal study toTo be effective, the move from formal study to
language use has to occur repeatedly during thelanguage use has to occur repeatedly during the
learning process” (Stern: 1992)learning process” (Stern: 1992)

4. COMMUNICATION IN ACOMMUNICATION IN A
NATURAL SETTINGNATURAL SETTING
 Contact with a variety ofContact with a variety of
target language speakerstarget language speakers
 Access to diverse targetAccess to diverse target
language settingslanguage settings
 Opportunity for AuthenticOpportunity for Authentic
Language UseLanguage Use
 Capacity for PersonalCapacity for Personal
InvolvementInvolvement
WAYS TO RECTIFYWAYS TO RECTIFY
THESETHESE
SHORTCOMINGS INSHORTCOMINGS IN
THE CLASSROOMTHE CLASSROOM
 Field experiencesField experiences
 Contrived ArrangementsContrived Arrangements
(Classroom(Classroom
management)management)
 Classroom Activities –Classroom Activities –
‘mini-immersion’‘mini-immersion’
weekends – clubsweekends – clubs
 Depends more on theDepends more on the
studentsstudents
The teacher can help theThe teacher can help the
sts to cultivate interest insts to cultivate interest in
the target country.the target country.

5. Communicative Activities in theCommunicative Activities in the
Language ClassLanguage Class
The Conduct of the Language ClassThe Conduct of the Language Class
InstructionsInstructions
General Classroom ManagementGeneral Classroom Management
Topics arising from and relevant to theTopics arising from and relevant to the
learner’s personal lifelearner’s personal life
 Self, personal background and daily lifeSelf, personal background and daily life
 SchoolingSchooling
 FamilyFamily
 Personal interests and activitiesPersonal interests and activities
 Professional ActivitiesProfessional Activities
 Personal beliefsPersonal beliefs

6. Communicative Activities in theCommunicative Activities in the
Language ClassLanguage Class
Substantive TopicsSubstantive Topics
 Topics of Educational RelevanceTopics of Educational Relevance
 Subject MattersSubject Matters
 Literary TextsLiterary Texts
 Planning TripsPlanning Trips
Communicative ExercisesCommunicative Exercises
 Giving and Following instructionsGiving and Following instructions
 Information TransferInformation Transfer
 Information GapInformation Gap
 The Jigsaw principalThe Jigsaw principal
 Problem SolvingProblem Solving

7. Levels of DifficultyLevels of Difficulty
The Predictability - unpredictabilityThe Predictability - unpredictability
dimensiondimension
The Receptive – Productive FactorThe Receptive – Productive Factor
Length of UtteranceLength of Utterance
Contextual SupportContextual Support
Linguistic Complexity of ContentLinguistic Complexity of Content
StressStress

8. ReferencesReferences
““Imported” Communicative LanguageImported” Communicative Language
Teaching Implications for Local teachers.Teaching Implications for Local teachers.
In: Forum Magazine. Volume 43, NumberIn: Forum Magazine. Volume 43, Number
4, 2005.4, 2005.
Stern, H.H. (1992). Issues and Options inStern, H.H. (1992). Issues and Options in
Language Teaching. Oxford: OxfordLanguage Teaching. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.University Press.
Watcyn-Jones, Peter. Top Class Activities.Watcyn-Jones, Peter. Top Class Activities.
England: PenguinEngland: Penguin

9. Thanks !Thanks !

10. Thanks !Thanks !