Although English Language Teaching in India is moving away from the traditional grammar-translation approach towards a Communicative Competence model, we still neglect one of the four significant skills of language learning which is recommended in the communicative approach. To be clear and precise, ‘listening’ remains a neglected skill in Indian language curricula. This paper focuses on the need to incorporate listening skill in language curricula in order to improve effective communicative competence. The paper discusses the importance of listening as a language skill. It highlights the obstacles for incorporating listening skills in the language curricula in Indian language classrooms. Eventually, the paper suggests several activities for improving listening skill and recommends some practical and effective listening tasks and materials that are appropriate for the Indian language learning context.
Communicative approach, communicative competence, listening
