Effectiveness of Audio-Lingual Method and Communicative Language Teaching in Enhancing the English Language Grammar Proficiency and Attitude among Intermediate Chinese EFL Learners

Abstract

The current study delved into examining the effectiveness of Audio-lingual Method (ALM) and Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in developing the English language grammar skills and language learning attitude of EFL intermediate Chinese learners. The study employed a quasi-experimental research design in the two groups of 60 Chinese EFL middle grades. The study uses a quasi-experimental research method for two groups of respondents. Findings showed that the ALM and CLT are effective in enhancing the English language grammar proficiency and language learning attitude among Chinese EFL intermediate learners. The gender gap in language learning favors female respondents to exhibit better performance. Consequently, the EFL learners exposed to the Communicative Language Teaching method showed better language learning grammar performance compared to those in the Audio-lingual Method. Language grammar learning attitude is not affected by gender, implying that both sexes were able to obtain the same level of benefits of the ALM and CLT. Finally, the study further concludes that language proficiency is not associated to attitude towards learning grammar of the two groups of respondents after their exposure to Audio-lingual method and Communicative Language Teaching implying that regardless of the learners’ attitude towards learning grammar they are capable of manifesting better performance in language learning with the use of ALM and CLT. The theoretical and practical implications of the study are presented and discussed.