Problems Confronted By EFL Teachers in Applying The Communicative Approach in Iraqi Secondary Schools (2002 – 2013)

Abstract

      Since the academic year 2002–2003 , English language teaching in Iraq has adopted the communicative approach . This means that speaking skill is at the forefront of English teaching practice which has led to a focus on communicative ability and appropriateness of language use , over linguistic accuracy and error avoidance .

      This study aims at eliciting EFL teachers' views concerning the optimal number of students and the groups in each class , the optimal number of students in each group , and discussing the group work , the criterion of group structure , error correction , teacher's role , student's role , the large number of students in each classroom , the serious shortage of school buildings , the instability of syllabuses designed according to this approach and the distribution of marks . In this study , open and closed questionnaires were used as investigatory instruments . Furthermore , the questionnaires were supplemented by oral interviews . Finally , relevant recommendations are made .