Creating a Communicative Language Teaching Environment for Improving Students’ Communicative Competence at EFL/EAP University Level

Abstract

The present research focuses on teachers’ perceptions and practices regarding Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) and its impact on communicative competency of the students. A questionnaire was used to collect the quantitative data from teachers. The results show that the EFL teachers are aware of the CLT characteristics, its implementation and impact on the communicative competence of the students. The results suggest that despite showing keen interest in change and being eager to implement CLT, they are not optimistic about the complete adoption of CLT due to the problems and challenges they face in the classroom, like overcrowded classes, non-availability of AV aids, students’ low level of proficiency, time constraints, etc. They believe that only by overcoming the difficulties, and by establishing more favourable conditions for the implementation of CLT, they can truly benefit from CLT in their classrooms.