CLT at the Higher Secondary Level in Bangladesh: Theory and Practice

Abstract

With the progress of time, the aim of teaching and learning English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) changed and so did the approaches and methods in language teaching. Different methods and approaches emerged and replaced, influenced or contributed to the emergence of new methods. It is widely acknowledged that one umbrella approach to language teaching that has become the accepted "norm" in this field is Communicative Language Teaching Approach.  This study deals with the theories and practices of CLT in the Higher Secondary level in Bangladesh. Realizing the significance of CLT, Ministry of Education in Bangladesh has made groundbreaking attempts to implement CLT in the new context and has also brought some changes in the curriculum in 1990s.  Along with attempting to provide a real picture of how CLT is practiced and utilized in an ESL/EFL context, this study focuses on the definite CLT approach in Bangladesh. Moreover, this study intends to propose some propositions to be implemented in future for better practice of CLT in ESL/EFL contexts.

Key Words: Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), Higher Secondary level, Bangladesh.