IMPROVING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING SKILLS THROUGH COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHING

Abstract

Abstract. This article examines the effectiveness of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in improving the speaking skills of students at technical and vocational education institutions. Speaking is widely recognized as the most demanding of the four language skills, yet in many classrooms it remains underdeveloped because instruction is dominated by grammar explanation and translation. Drawing on the theoretical foundations of communicative competence and on classroom practice in the context of educational reforms in Uzbekistan, the article analyzes the principles of CLT, describes practical communicative activities — role-plays, information-gap tasks, pair and group discussions, simulations and project work — and explains how they reduce speaking anxiety, increase student talking time and develop fluency together with accuracy. The article also discusses typical difficulties in applying CLT (large classes, limited class hours, students’ fear of making mistakes) and offers recommendations for teachers. The findings suggest that systematic use of communicative activities significantly increases learners’ willingness to communicate and the overall quality of their oral production.