Developing ESL/ EFL Learners' Grammatical Competence through Communicative Activities

Volume 8 Issue 1 January - March 2018

Research Paper

Developing ESL/ EFL Learners' Grammatical Competence through Communicative Activities

Muhammed Ali C. P.* , Prakash Joshi**, Sindhu Hareesh***

* Research Scholar, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan, India.

** Research Supervisor and Former Associate Professor, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan, India.

*** Co-supervisor and Assistant Professor, Sohar University, Oman.

Ali, C. P. M., Joshi, P., Hareesh, S. (2018). Developing ESL/ EFL Learners' Grammatical Competence through Communicative Activities. i-manager’s Journal on English Language Teaching, 8(1), 63-70. https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.8.1.13949

Abstract

The real learning takes place when the learners start using the language items not when they notice them. Every English as a Second Language/English as a Foreign Language (ESL/EFL) learner needs grammar to communicate effectively and efficiently. Furthermore, they need opportunities to use grammar communicatively in meaningful contexts in order to develop their grammatical competence. Unfortunately, the present classroom atmosphere does not provide this since it merely focuses on the input, i.e. the presentation of language items. This paper argues that the communicative activities fill this existing gap in teaching grammar by providing learners with meaningful contexts, where learners not only practice grammar, but also use it communicatively. While practicing grammar through communicative activities, the learners understand the relationship between the form, meaning, and function of grammatical structures in meaningful contexts. The paper exemplifies how communicative activities can be used to develop ESL/ EFL learners' grammatical competence.