Here's a breakdown:
Key Features:
* Emphasis on communication: The focus is on using language to convey meaning and interact with others, rather than simply memorizing grammar rules.
* Meaningful context: Drills are designed to simulate real-life situations or topics that are relevant and interesting to learners.
* Active engagement: Learners are actively involved in using the target language, not just passively listening or repeating.
* Interactive nature: Drills often involve pair work, group work, or role-playing to promote communication between learners.
Examples:
* Role-playing: Students take on different roles in a scenario (e.g., ordering food at a restaurant, making a complaint) and use the target language to communicate.
* Information gap activities: Students have different pieces of information and need to communicate with each other to complete a task.
* Games: Games that involve using the target language to score points or win.
Benefits:
* Improved fluency and accuracy: By using the language in a communicative context, learners develop their ability to speak and understand more naturally.
* Increased motivation and engagement: Meaningful and interactive activities make learning more enjoyable and engaging.
* Development of communication strategies: Learners learn to adapt their language to different situations and audiences.
Overall, communicative drills provide a more dynamic and effective way to learn and practice a language than traditional, isolated drills. They encourage learners to use the language creatively and confidently in real-world contexts.