Competency-based language teaching

Competency-based language teaching

1. the focus on output rather than on input to learning is central to the competencies perspectives

2. it emerged in the United States in the 70s

3. theory of language learning

   • it seeks to teach language in relation to the social contexts
   • it is used in situations where learners have specific needs and are in particular roles
   • CBLT competencies can occur rately predict the vocabulary and structures
   • CBLT is built around the notion of communication
   • CBLT is based on functional and interactional perspectives

4. Desing

   • CLBT is designed not around the notion of subject knowledge but around the notion of competency
   • competency consist of a description of the essential skills, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors
   • a syllabus content is developed around the subject
   • assessments of students are usually based on norm-referencing
   • Docking points out the relationship between competencies and job performance
     • a job can be described as a selection of units competencies
   • Eight key features
     • 1.- a focus on successful functioning in society
       • 2.- a focus in life skills
         • 3.- Task- or performance -centered orientation
           • 4.- modularized instruction
             • 5.- outcomes that are made explicit a priori
               • 6.- continuous and ongoing assessment
                 • 7.- demonstrated mastery of performance
                   • 8.- individualized student-centered instruction
   • 4 advantages of competencies approach
     • 1.- the competencies are specific and practical
       • 2.- the learners can judge
         • 3.- the competencies that will be taught and tested are specific
           • 4.- competencies can be mastered one at a time

5. the competency descriptions at each stage are divided into four domains

   • knowledge and learning competencies
     • oral competencies
       • reading competencies
         • writing competencies