The Effect of Using Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) on Developing EFL Iraqi Learners' English Communication Skills: An Experimental Study

The research aimed to explore the effect of using a communicative approach on developing Iraqi Learners' English communication skills. Sixty-two Iraqi learners were utilized as a sample of the research, who consist of studying English in the 6th preparatory class at Palistain Preparatory School, Anbar. The test was utilized as an instrument of the study. A pre-test was conducted, and the sample was divided into two groups: the first group called the experimental group, was taught the English language using the communicative approach, while the second group called the control group, was taught the English language using the traditional method. Both groups were taught the contents of grammar for the 6th preparatory school. After the experiment had been completed, a post-test was conducted to collect data. The results revealed the experimental group obtained better marks than the control group in post-tests for communication skills. Therefore, the research recommends that policymakers and English teachers use the communicative approach as the best method for teaching communication skills in the new Iraqi curriculum.