Critical Critique of Classroom and Instructional Activities

Article   : Critical Critique of Classroom and Instructional Activities

Date Published: 2003

This article talks over about Kraus’ critical analysis of a textbook, True Colors: An EFL Course for Real Communication by Maurer and Schaenberg, which comes out of a functional-notional approach. He argues that this textbook can provide the basis relevant communicative models. In his view, practicing language functions does not equate to communication, instead learners merely pronounce what is required by the given exercise. It is in contrast to the aim of CLT that is to get learners to express themselves and to own language. Moreover, functional phrases are commonly extracted from situation that doesn’t indicate the place and logic functions in a general communicative scheme. It is rather meaning-making than based on pure contextual and meaningful situation. In addition, the notional syllabus that takes place, commonly deals with the elicitation of structure, not the lives of people. In sum, language learning activities based on functional-notional approach is merely an effort to contextualize grammatical rather than communicative practices.

On giving his opinion that functional-notional textbook falls to reach the purpose for communicative practice, the author banks on Kraus’ critical analysis. He talks over about Kraus’ view, and asserts his agreement on it. In other word, he gives his opinion indirectly.

I do agree with his opinion because it is a fact that some textbooks coming out of a functional-notional approach are only as an effort to contextualize grammatical rather than communicative practices. Therefore, sometimes the topics are not related by context instead of by linguistic function.

I’ve experienced using English textbook based on functional-notional approach and it is true that the textbook falls to foster communicative practice instead it just emphasize grammatical features on the activities. However, I still feel the book is very useful because I think grammar will lead us to communicate correctly and effectively.