CHALLENGES OF COMMUNICATIVE LEARNING AND TEACHING (CLT) IN POLITEKNIK MUKAH

Abstract

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) is a practical approach and has been around since 1986. It permits learners to express their ideas while using the English language through enjoyable activities. Many studies have been conducted on Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). However, in the Malaysian polytechnic context, only a few studies have been made in regards to CLT, especially after the change in the syllabus, from English for Specific Purposes (ESP) to Communicative English (CE). After the adoption of Communicative English (CE) in polytechnics, the English proficiency level of polytechnic graduates are still not up to par that prompts this study to be conducted. Therefore, this study investigates the challenges and issues faced by lecturers in Politeknik Mukah regarding the use of CLT in the teaching of Communicative English I, II, III and English for Digital Technology and also the lecturers’ understanding of CLT and the implementation of CLT in their class. A quantitative research method design was employed in obtaining the data. Research data was collected through a questionnaire completed by all English language lecturers in Politeknik Mukah, Sarawak. Overall, the findings show that students' proficiency and attitude towards the English language are the main challenges of CLT, even though the lecturers have an adequate understanding of CLT.