Task 14 -- Communicative approach

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Date Posted: 16:57:21 08/07/03 Thu
Author: Maria Lucia Gariano
Subject: Task 14

In order to be able to test communicative competence, firstly, we have to take into consideration that appropriateness is what is sought. According to Hymes, communicative competence is the ability to use language appropriately, both receptively and productively, in real situations.
Another point to consider is that tests don�t have to be entirely communicative, although they should have some elements of communicativeness.
Context-specific tests are good, but students must be prepared for the kind of test intended. For example, you cannot expect testees to write an essay if they have not been studying writing essays before.
Evaluation is subjective when tests simulate real life communicative situations. In these cases band scales need to be used. Each band has a description of the quality of the receptive or productive performance of the testee.
There are many different types of activities, which can be used for communicative test tasks. Some of them are: information gap, role-play, writing a letter, making a summary and a combination of listening and writing.
An example of a role-play activity would be:
Student A: It is your first day at school, and you need to make new friends. Approach someone and try to start a conversation with the person. Introduce yourself. Ask general questions about the school and about student B.
Student B: Be friendly to the new student. Introduce yourself. Talk about the school, yourself, and ask student B general questions, such as, where the student A comes from? which schools did he go to? etc.
Student A should be assessed on his/her ability to carry out the functions (introducing him/herself, maintaining a short conversation, etc.)
The communicative language test should reflect the way that language is used in real life. If they cannot be entirely communicative, they should have some communicative elements. This type of testing promotes effective language learning.

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