Communicative Competence as a Principle of Language Learning and Teaching

Abstract

Hymes initiated the concept of communicative competence as the manner in which an individual equips him or herself in using language in actual social situations. The present paper aims at providing an understanding and value of the over-emphasized communicative competence in language acquisition and instruction other than communicative correctness. In the following qualitative study, the CLT and TBL approaches are consequently discussed, backed up by a classroom observation and interviews with the teachers. The outcomes reveal that the active, learner’s approach promotes sociolinguistic, discourse and strategic competence. Barriers like teacher training and resourcing reduce with more important linguistic focus on communicative competence which enhances language proficiency, self- efficacy and communicative effectiveness. If these challenges are to be met and the principles we have discussed are to be followed, then the teaching process could create a situation where language acquisition is not only more meaningful, but also more practical. Finally, the paper calls for increasing the extent to which approaches to teaching communicative competence are incorporated into language curricula around the globe.