Transforming English Classroom Through Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)
The English Without Borders Network (EWB) in Tajikistan, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Tajikistan, hosted a successful EWB Regional Conference in Dushanbe on May 18th at the American Space Dushanbe.
This year’s conference focused on the important theme of Transforming English Classrooms Through Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). It aimed to equip educators with innovative approaches to teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) and foster dynamic learning environments for both students and teachers.
The conference brought together over 40 English teachers from Dushanbe and Districts under Republican Subordination, creating a vibrant space for the exchange of ideas and best practices around CLT. Educators gained valuable insights from a lineup of impressive speakers:
- Gulnora Zulobieva presented a session titled “Encouraging Risk-Taking in Communication: How to Turn Student Errors into Learning Opportunities in EL Classroom.” Her approach aligns perfectly with the core tenet of CLT – fostering communication and a willingness to experiment with language.
- Bakhtiyor Davlatmurodov explored the powerful synergy between CLT and Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) in his session “Enhancing Teacher-Student Competencies in Language Classes through Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT)“. He provided practical guidance on implementing TBLT to enhance both teacher and student competencies, promoting a more effective and engaging learning experience.
- Firuz Kakroev in his demo class with the students of the English Access Microscholarship Program (Access), demonstrated the use of CLT teaching strategies. After the demo class, the conference participants had a unique opportunity to practice peer observation & collaborative reflection.
- Sharon Lyman, an English Language Fellow teaching at Bokhtar State University in Tajikistan, directly addressed the conference theme in her session “How to Use Communicative Language Teaching Approach to Improve Students’ Speaking Skills.” She offered practical techniques for using CLT to enhance students’ ability to communicate effectively in English.
- Annie Chen, an English Language Fellow teaching at Tajik State Pedagogical University named after Sadriddin Aini in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, challenged the traditional approach to reading activities in her session “From Passive Listening to Active Engagement: Strategies for Communicative Reading Activities.” She explored strategies for fostering active engagement with reading materials using a communicative approach, aligning with the core principles of CLT.
- Mina Gavell provided valuable insights into facilitating effective and communicative group work in her session “Considerations for Effective & Communicative Group Work,” a key component of the CLT methodology. Participants gained practical strategies for promoting collaboration and maximizing learning outcomes within this framework.
- Bakhtibegim Mamadrayonova addressed the role of grammar in the communicative approach in her session “Presenting Grammar through Communicative Language Teaching: Why, When, & How to Teach It.” She provided guidance on how to present grammar in a way that is both meaningful and engaging for students, ensuring it supports the overall goals of CLT.
The EWB Regional Conference Dushanbe 2024 proved to be a resounding success, providing a platform for educators to share best practices, learn from each other, and explore innovative approaches to teaching English through the lens of Communicative Language Teaching. The focus on this methodology will undoubtedly have a positive impact on student learning outcomes and foster a more engaging and communicative learning environment throughout Dushanbe and beyond.
