What are the roles played by learners and teachers in CLT?
Shihabur Rahaman
ContributorWhat are the roles played by learners and teachers in CLT NU Communicative Language Teaching CLT is one of the most popular approaches in modern English language teaching It appeared in the s as a reaction against older methods that focused mainly on grammar rules CLT puts communication at the center of learning In this approach both learners and teachers have new and important roles Learners are active participants in real communication while teachers act as guides and facilitators This balance makes the classroom more interactive and effective Learner as Communicator In CLT learners are not silent listeners They are communicators They participate in conversations role-plays discussions and problem-solving exercises Their primary role is to use language in real-life situations Mistakes are allowed as long as the meaning is clear This helps students gain confidence and fluency They learn not only words and grammar but also how to express ideas
feelings and opinions in English They also practice listening carefully to partners They learn turn-taking in talks This prepares them for natural and interactive communication outside class Learner as Negotiator Learners also act as negotiators of meaning In pair work or group work they share ideas ask questions and clarify answers If they do not understand something they request help If others make mistakes they try to respond meaningfully This role trains them to handle communication problems in real life By negotiating meaning learners develop strategies like paraphrasing guessing or using body language This makes them more independent in communication Teacher as Facilitator In CLT the teacher is no longer the only source of knowledge Instead the teacher acts as a facilitator The teacher creates situations where students can practice real communication The teacher provides tasks materials and guidance but allows learners to interact freely The teacher listens more and talks less Error correction is not immediate unless meaning is lost In this way teachers encourage learners to take risks and speak more confidently Teacher as Resource Teachers also play the role of resource persons They are there to support students when needed If learners forget words or cannot express ideas the teacher offers help Teachers may explain cultural references introduce useful vocabulary or give strategies for communication But they do not dominate the class Instead they make resources like authentic materials group activities and role-play scenarios available for students This role makes learning practical and meaningful Teacher as Observer Another role of the teacher in CLT is that of an observer The teacher carefully watches learners during tasks Mistakes common errors and learning problems are noted Instead of stopping communication the teacher discusses these issues later This method of delayed correction helps students stay confident while speaking It also helps the teacher design future lessons based on real learner needs The teacher also notices positive progress Strengths are recorded along with errors This balance encourages learners and helps them feel motivated to improve In conclusion the roles of learners and teachers in CLT are very different from older methods Learners are communicators and negotiators responsible for active participation Teachers are facilitators resources and observers who guide and support rather than control This sharing of roles creates a natural interactive and meaningful classroom environment In this way CLT helps students prepare for real-life communication and builds both confidence and competence in English