Teaching Oral Communication – a Methodological Framework: Applied Language Studies

It begins by discussing the theory of language which underpins the communicative curriculum, viewing language as a structural system whose main function is to enable communication to take place. It goes on to present two apparently conflicting accounts of language learning - as a form of skill learning and as a natural process developing through exposure and use.

William Littlewood explores how these two forms of learning might be integrated into one framework which can then form the basis of a methodology for teaching communication skills. In the final part of his book he draws up the framework of this classroom methodology and concludes by considering what must permeate this methodology if learners are to be fully involved in the learning that goes on in the classroom.