Communicative Language Teaching in Blended Learning: Language Fluency of BSED

English Students of Batangas State University

- To identify the challenges of improving language fluency in the context of blended learning.

- To determine the effectiveness of CLT in improving language fluency in the context of blended
learning.

- To find new ways of incorporating CLT in the BSED English curriculum in the context of
blended learning.

 Language Proficiency - the ability to use and understand language accurately.

Language proficiency refers to a person's ability to use and understand a
language accurately, effectively, and fluently. It encompasses various aspects
of language, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Here's a
breakdown of what language proficiency entails:

1. Speaking: Proficiency in speaking means the ability to articulate words

and sentences clearly and coherently. It involves proper pronunciation,
intonation, and the use of appropriate vocabulary and grammar.
2. Listening: Proficiency in listening involves the capacity to understand
spoken language, including different accents, dialects, and speech rates.
It also includes the ability to comprehend context and infer meaning
from spoken communication.
3. Reading: Proficiency in reading involves the skill to understand and
interpret written text accurately. It includes comprehension, vocabulary
recognition, and the ability to grasp the author's intended message.
4. Writing: Proficiency in writing refers to the ability to express thoughts,
ideas, and information effectively through written communication. This
involves using proper grammar, vocabulary, and structure to convey
messages clearly.

Language proficiency can be assessed at various levels, often categorized into

stages such as:

 Basic Proficiency: Individuals at this level can handle simple, everyday

situations that require basic communication skills. They may have
limited vocabulary and grammar but can express fundamental ideas.
  Intermediate Proficiency: At this level, individuals can engage in more
complex conversations, understand moderately complex texts, and
express themselves with greater detail and accuracy.
 Advanced Proficiency: Those with advanced proficiency can
communicate effectively in a wide range of situations, understand
complex texts, and express nuanced ideas. They typically have a rich
vocabulary and strong grasp of grammar.
 Fluency: Fluent speakers can use the language effortlessly, almost like a
native speaker. They can engage in complex discussions, understand
subtleties in language and culture, and adapt to various communication
contexts.

Language proficiency is not static; it can improve or decline over time with
practice, exposure, and study. People often measure their language
proficiency using standardized assessments or tests like the Common
European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or the Test of English
as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for English proficiency. Employers, educational
institutions, and immigration authorities may also require proof of language
proficiency for various purposes.

In summary, language proficiency encompasses a person's ability to use a

language effectively and accurately across speaking, listening, reading, and
writing, with proficiency levels ranging from basic to fluent.
 Language Fluency - the ability to speak smoothly and spontaneously.
Language fluency refers to a high level of proficiency in a language where a person can
speak smoothly and spontaneously, with ease and naturalness. It goes beyond just
being able to communicate effectively; it involves a level of comfort and mastery in
using the language. Here are some key characteristics and aspects of language fluency:

1. Smooth and Spontaneous Speech: Fluent speakers can express themselves in a

flowing manner without frequent pauses or stumbling over words. They can
engage in conversations without having to think too much about vocabulary or
grammar rules.
2. Natural Pronunciation and Intonation: Fluent speakers often have a native-like
or near-native pronunciation and intonation, making their speech sound natural
and easily understandable to native speakers.
 3. Rich Vocabulary: Fluent individuals typically have a broad and varied vocabulary,
allowing them to express a wide range of ideas and concepts.
4. Grammar Mastery: They have a strong grasp of the language's grammar rules,
enabling them to construct sentences correctly and use complex sentence
structures when needed.
5. Cultural Awareness: Fluency often includes an understanding of the cultural
nuances and idiomatic expressions of the language, which is crucial for effective
communication in real-life contexts.
6. Adaptability: Fluent speakers can adapt their language use to different
situations, registers, and social contexts. They can switch between formal and
informal speech as needed.
7. Comprehension: Fluent individuals also have a high level of listening
comprehension, allowing them to understand a variety of accents, dialects, and
speaking speeds.
8. Reading and Writing Skills: While fluency primarily relates to spoken language,
it often extends to reading and writing. Fluent speakers can read and understand
complex texts and write coherently and effectively in the language.

 Language Learning - All conventional methods of learning a foreign language

use conscious learning and memorization. They teach four language skills
separately, hoping you will remember what you read, were told, or had
demonstrated to you. However, we know that our brain uses the forgetting
mechanism to protect us from information overload. That is why adults suffer
from appalling forgetting curves, cross-translation, and the inability to think in the
new language.
Language learning is a multifaceted cognitive and cultural process through which
individuals acquire the ability to understand, speak, read, and write in a new language. It
involves the acquisition of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, often facilitated
through formal education, immersion experiences, or self-study. Successful language
learning encompasses not only linguistic competence but also cultural awareness and
the ability to adapt communication to diverse contexts. Motivation, practice, exposure,
and effective language learning strategies play crucial roles in the journey towards
becoming proficient in a foreign or second language, enabling individuals to bridge
cultural divides, enhance communication, and engage with the global community.

 Language Acquisition - The patented method of subconscious training in

English skills creates the environment for language acquisition through
simultaneously performing three activities: reading, listening and speaking.
Subconscious training is stress-free and has no forgetting curve. It eliminates the
ingrained habit of cross-translating into the native language and develops the
skill of thinking in English and speaking effortlessly. As students simultaneously
read original digital text, listen to a recording, and speak aloud using a headset,
 their brains subconsciously record language patterns, start thinking in English,
and speak fluently by producing two or three words per second.
Language acquisition is the natural, subconscious process through which humans,
particularly children, develop their native language(s). It begins at birth, or even before,
and continues throughout early childhood. During this process, individuals intuitively
absorb linguistic patterns, vocabulary, and grammar rules from their environment,
primarily through interaction with caregivers and exposure to spoken language. Unlike
formal language learning, acquisition occurs without explicit instruction, relying on
innate cognitive abilities and a predisposition for language. This innate capacity for
language acquisition, often referred to as the "language instinct," enables children to
gradually and effortlessly develop fluency in their native language(s), making them
competent communicators in their cultural and linguistic communities.

 Upang alamin ang mga hamon sa pagpapabuti ng kakayahang mag-Ingles sa

konteksto ng blended learning.
 Upang tukuyin ang epektibidad ng CLT sa pagpapabuti ng kakayahang mag-
Ingles sa konteksto ng blended learning.
 Upang hanapin ang mga bagong paraan ng pag-aambag ng CLT sa kurikulum ng
BSED English sa konteksto ng blended learning.

"Communicative Language Teaching in Blended Learning" refers to the incorporation of

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) principles and techniques within the context of
blended learning.

1. Communicative Language Teaching (CLT): CLT is an approach to language teaching

that emphasizes the importance of communication and the practical use of language. In
CLT, the goal is not only to learn language rules but also to develop the ability to
communicate effectively and engage in meaningful interactions with others.
2. Blended Learning: Blended learning is an educational approach that combines
traditional face-to-face classroom instruction with technology-based online learning. It
allows students to learn through in-person classes as well as by utilizing online resources
and tools.

In "Communicative Language Teaching in Blended Learning," the objective is to apply CLT

principles to strengthen students' language proficiency in both traditional classroom settings and
online learning environments. This approach enables a more modern and flexible way of
teaching, offering increased opportunities for interactive communication and language learning
using technology.
The importance of incorporating Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in blended learning
environments is significant for several reasons:
 1. Enhancing Communication Skills: CLT focuses on developing students' ability to
communicate effectively in real-life situations. In a blended learning setup, this emphasis
on practical communication skills is crucial as students need to navigate various forms of
online communication, such as email, video conferencing, and discussion forums.
2. Engagement and Interaction: Blended learning often involves a mix of face-to-face and
online components. CLT encourages interaction and collaboration among students,
promoting active participation in both settings. This engagement helps learners feel more
connected to the content and their peers, leading to a richer learning experience.
3. Adapting to Real-World Language Use: CLT encourages learners to use language in
authentic, real-world contexts. In a blended learning environment, students can practice
language skills in online discussions, simulations, or through multimedia materials,
making their language learning more applicable to everyday life.
4. Flexibility and Self-Paced Learning: Blended learning allows students to have some
control over their learning pace and style. Incorporating CLT principles means that
students can engage in communicative tasks and activities at their own convenience,
using online resources when and where it suits them.
5. Integration of Technology: Modern language learning increasingly relies on technology.
CLT in blended learning leverages technology to facilitate language practice,
communication, and feedback. It helps students become comfortable with using digital
tools for language learning and communication.
6. Assessment and Feedback: CLT often involves continuous assessment and feedback. In
a blended learning environment, teachers can use online platforms to monitor students'
progress, provide timely feedback, and adapt their teaching strategies to address specific
language learning needs.
7. Cultural Awareness: CLT often includes discussions of culture and encourages learners
to understand cultural differences in communication. In a blended learning context,
students may interact with peers from diverse backgrounds online, promoting cross-
cultural understanding and sensitivity.
8. Preparation for the Digital Age: In today's digital world, effective communication skills
are essential. Blended learning with CLT prepares students not only for traditional face-
to-face communication but also for various digital communication tools and platforms
used in education and the workplace.

In conclusion, integrating Communicative Language Teaching into blended learning

environments enhances language learners' communication skills, encourages interaction, adapts
to real-world language use, leverages technology, provides flexibility, and prepares students for
the demands of the digital age, making it a valuable approach for language education.