A Comparison on the Audiolingual Approach and the Communicative Approach

代海娜

【Abstract】Audiolingual approach and communicative approach are two important approaches in language teaching.In this paper，some differences and both advantages and diadvantages will be discussed.Thus，to conduct the important usage of approachs in language teaching.

【Key words】audiolingual approach； communicative approach； language teaching； advantages and disadvantages

1.Introduction.Audiolingual approach is originated in direct method.In english language teaching，both audiolingual approach and communicative approach are important teaching approaches.While in learning，which one should we use？ And is audiolingual approach more better than communicative approach？ By comparision，we can get some ideas.

2.Development history.Audiolingual approach emerged toward the end of 1950s in America.Since World WarⅡ，to apply the person who used French，German，Chinese and others，it is necessary to train language in a special way.Thus the Army Specialized Training Program was established in 1942.However，this program training lasted only two years.But it had great influences on the society and it was widely discussed for the next ten years.When Russian first launched its satellite in 1957，American realized a more intensive need for teaching foreign languages.American language specilists assimulate the earlier army programs and aural approach，and combine them with each other.This combination contributed to the Audiolingual approach.Audiolingualism thought this approach had made language teaching to a science.And this approach would improve peoples fluency in language learning.

Communicative approach date from 1960s.Communicative approach came from British innovation，and then it was expanded in 1970s.This approach aims to improve students communicative competence and the usage of the four language skills.From 1957，Noam Chomsky found some defects in current language teaching.They all ignores the creativity of individuals.British applied specilists also found the need to improve the communicative proficiency.

3.Comparison between These Two Approaches.Audiolingual approach can differ from communicative approach in such aspects.Focus，training mode and the roles of students and their teachers.

3.1 Focus.Audiolingual approach focuses on the sentence structure，while Communicative approach focuses on the efficency of communicating.Audiolingual approach pays great attention to language structure and form，while communicative approach claims that meaning in paramount.

3.2 Training mode. Audiolingual approach thinks drilling is a very important factor in language teaching.For communicative approach，drilling is not as important as that in audiolingual approach.In language teaching，language items should be taught contextualized in communicative approach.Language items are not necessarily contextualized.

3.3The roles of the students and their teachers.In audiolingual approach，students are asked to learn structures，sounds，or words.They are required to construct the language system during learning.Their teachers are asked to correct the languages their students used.In communicative approach，students are asked to communicate with each other.Their communicative skills are very important in language learning，so their teachers are not need to correct the grammar mistakes while they are communicating.In communicative approach，meaning is much important.

4.The advantages and disadvantages of These Two Approaches.Audiolingual approach stresses the mechanistic way in language learning.And it drill and practice students language structure and sounds and words.In this way，students can have a brief and clear understanding of this language.And they can get high points in a test.Because it is mechanical，students may feel quite tired while learning and bored.They may lose the interest in learning a language.While Audiolingual approach stresses the interactive priority.It is a more humanistic way to teach language.Students can learn language in a more relax air.But some questionese still existed.This approach is not fit into every levels of students.When students knows little about this class，they can communicate nonting during class.And if they are not given enough drill and practice in language learning，they may make lots of mistakes while communicating.Thus，drilling and practice are also very important in learning a language.

5.Conclusion.We can get some judgement from the comparision above，both audiolingual approach and communicative approach have their merits and demerits.Thus，when we learn english，it is not fair to say audiolingual approach is better than communicative approach.What we choose should be in terms of the purpose of our english class.

References：

[1]魏立明，孙长顺.现代英语教学原理与实践[M].吉林人民出版社，2001.

[2]Jack C.Richards.Theodore S.Rodgers Approaches and Approachs in Language Teaching[M].外语教学与研究出版社，2005.