Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MA

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

World Languages, Literatures and Linguistics

Committee Chair

Maria J. Amores.

Committee Co-Chair

Susan M. Braidi

Committee Member

Dara G. Shaw

Abstract

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) has been extensively discussed and researched. However little appears in the literature about CLT use in EFL environments, such as Brazil. Few studies explore CLT adaptation in EFL environments, and if they do, such studies are mostly in Asian countries (Li, 1998; Burnaby & Sun, 1998). This research investigates CLT use in high schools and language institutes in Southern Brazil. The data consists of written questionnaires, class observations, and in-depth interviews with teachers. Results showed that there are two main problems with CLT use in Brazil. One relates to the various constraints that exist in each of the different settings in which teaching occurs. Another relates to teachers' awareness of CLT principles, and the lack of training in how to appropriately implement such principles in the classroom.

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