Competency-based language teaching Chapter 13 Competency-based language teaching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhTcuUvLGOE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDkLz0RS_PU&feature=related

Q: What are the principles of competency-based language teaching?

1. Language is a vehicle for the expression of functional meaning (functional view) 2. Language is a vehicle for the realization of interpersonal relation and for the performance of social transactions between individuals. (interactional view) 3. CBLT is built around the notion of communicative competence and seeks to develop functional communication skills in learners. 4. CBLT shares with behaviorist views of learning---Certain life encounters call for certain kinds of language.

CBLT is built around the notion of communicative competence: . Grammatical competence Sociolinguistic competence Discourse competence Strategic competence (Canale and Swain,1980; Canale, 1983)

Key features in ESL (Auerbach, 1986) 1. A focus on successful functioning in society 2. A focus on life skills 3. Task/performance - centered orientation 4. Modularized instructions 5. Outcomes are made explicit 6. Continuous and ongoing assessment 7. Demonstrated mastery of performance objectives 8. Individualized, student-centered instruction

Competency Based Education Programs 1 Competency Based Education Programs 1. Specific, measurable competency statements 2. Content based on learner goals (outcomes/competencies) 3. Learner continues in program until demonstrating mastery 4. Use a variety of instructional techniques and group activities 5. Focus on what the learner needs to learn, which is the application of basic skills in a life skills context 6.Use texts, media, and real life materials geared to targeted competencies 7. Provide learners with immediate feedback on assessment performance 8. Pace instruction to learner needs 9. Have learner demonstrate mastery of specified competency statements

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of CBLT?

Advantages of CBLT Relate to the learner’s needs and interests The competencies that will be taught and tested are specific ---the learner knows exactly what needs to be learned Competencies can be mastered one at a time- the learner can see what has been learned and what still remains to be learned. Students are taught just those language forms/skills required by the situation in which they will function.

Disadvantages of CBLT Prescriptive method Reductionist approach CBLT only focuses on behavior and performance rather than on the development of thinking skills