This article is a reply to the two articles entitled ‘A critical look at the Communicative Approach’ by Michael Swan, which appeared in the two issues that preceded this one (39/1 and 39/2). It is argued that Swan misrepresents the ideas which have gone to make up what is now known as the ‘communicative approach’, and that Swan's arguments are in themselves contradictory. In the author's belief. Swan fails to offer evidence or support for his own position on the theory or practice of ELT, and is thus guilty of the same charge that he lays, undeservedly, at the door of those whose views he attacks.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
H. G. Widdowson (1985) studied this question.