Comparison of Clt and Tblt

Category: Learning, Teacher, Teaching
Last Updated: 21 Mar 2023
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Task-based language teaching (TBLT) and Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) are both communicative approaches to language learning and teaching. TBLT has grown out of CLT; however, they share and differ in some advantages and disadvantages. First of all, both of them are among “current communicative approaches”. That’s why, the classes those are instructed with CLT or TBLT are student centred and teachers are facilitator. That can be seen as the good side of these approaches.

On the contrary to the traditional classes, students are actively involved in learning process and this motivates them more. Because they are motivated, they learn more, and it turns to be an advantage. As it is a pedagogical fact, it is also true for Turkish learners. Both CLT and TBLT emphasise communication, they give the opportunity to talk more, as opposed to traditional methods, which is a big advantage for language learning. CLT emphasises that language should be as close as in real life, and TBLT shares this principle.

It means both put emphasis on authenticity. This is important because today many researches prove that language should be taught in real life situations or with authentic materials. As the language is a living thing, it cannot be parted from real life. This is how it should be not only in Turkish context but everywhere in the world. However, there are some limitations in Turkish context of learning for these two communicative approaches. First of all, Turkey is a country where English is not spoken officially.

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And, almost all of our English teachers are non-native. And this is one of the main constraints for TBLT and CLT classes. Although the teacher is a facilitator, it can be too demanding for non-native teachers to teach in such communicative classes. And also, the size of classes in Turkey is not perfectly suitable for both CLT and TBLT. Both are communicative approaches, and language activities / tasks should be carried out in groups or in pairs. Nevertheless, it is almost impossible to do it in crowded classes.

A communicative activity or a task cannot be carried out in such too crowded classes. The teacher faces the problems dividing the class into groups or pairs and if she can achieve dividing, there comes the time limit. She cannot practice the activities in her lesson in those crowded classes On the other hand, it’s difficult for the teacher to walk around and monitor all the students at the time of communicative activities. Nonetheless, CLT and TBLT have some differences also.

In CLT classes, although activities are real-life situations and enable learners to interact, they can be perceived as too abstract by learners. In spite of the teachers’ efforts, classroom activities are not real life. That’s because Turkish learners of English cannot hear the language except for the classroom and they just ‘pretend’ to be real life. On the other hand, TBLT has an advantage over CLT in this case. Tasks have immediate outcome, and that can motivate the Turkish learners more.

It can also be said that CLT doesn’t meet the needs of the different types of learners, but again TBLT has an advantage over it, as tasks can be adapted for different learning styles or for different cultures. To practice CLT in Turkish context, the first phase should be developing a syllabus that’s compatible with CLT. However, in Turkey, we generally prepare a syllabus, and then, we choose our methods or our course books. Since TBLT is more instructional, those specially designed instructional tasks can be the basis of learning situations, in Turkish context TBLT has another advantage.

To sum up, I think both the two methods achieve communicative purposes and real use of language as they are important aspects in language learning & teaching. They should be combined also with other methods concerning every factor that influence teaching. Each method has its advantages as well as its limitations. A method is effective only when it is appropriate to the teaching context. The best thing to do is to develop one’s own teaching methods based on the context of where one teaches and integrates the merits of different methodologies to fulfill their own teaching objectives.

Related Questions

on Comparison of Clt and Tblt

What is the difference between CLIL and TBLT?
CLIL stands for Content and Language Integrated Learning, and is a teaching approach that integrates language learning with the teaching of other subjects. TBLT stands for Task-Based Language Teaching, and is a teaching approach that focuses on tasks and activities to help students learn a language. The main difference between CLIL and TBLT is that CLIL focuses on the integration of language learning with other subjects, while TBLT focuses on tasks and activities to help students learn a language.
Are there any differences and similarities between ALM and CLT?
Yes, there are differences and similarities between ALM and CLT. ALM is an approach to managing financial risk that focuses on the balance between assets and liabilities, while CLT is an approach to managing financial risk that focuses on the balance between capital and liabilities. Both approaches involve managing the risk of a portfolio, but ALM is more focused on the balance between assets and liabilities, while CLT is more focused on the balance between capital and liabilities.
Is task-based learning TBL a variant of CLT?
Yes, task-based learning (TBL) is a variant of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). TBL is a type of CLT that focuses on the completion of tasks as a way to learn a language. It emphasizes the use of authentic language in meaningful contexts and encourages learners to use the language to complete tasks.
What are the similarities and differences between GTM and CLT?
GTM and CLT are both theories of second language acquisition. Both theories suggest that language acquisition is a process of internalizing the language and that learners progress through stages of development. The main difference between the two theories is that GTM focuses on the learner's internal cognitive processes, while CLT focuses on the use of language in communication.

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Comparison of Clt and Tblt. (2016, Dec 13). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/comparison-of-clt-and-tblt/

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