The Implementation of Communicative Language Teaching to Support Speaking Confidence

Abstract

This best practice aims to explore how the use of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approach to supports students’ speaking confidence in the eleventh-grade Fashion Design and Production class at SMK Negeri 1 Depok, Sleman. The teaching practice was implemented through four classroom meetings by adapting the school’s instructional module and integrating communicative activities into narrative and descriptive text lessons. Various activities, including interactive games, pair and group discussions, role play, reading aloud with physical actions, presentations, gallery walks, and digital media such as YouTube and Wordwall, were designed to provide meaningful opportunities for students to communicate in English. Throughout the implementation, the teacher acted as a facilitator by providing guidance and support, monitoring group interaction, and encouraging active participation. Compared to the initial classroom observation, students became more willing to express their ideas, participate in discussions, ask questions, and volunteer for presentations. The findings indicate that Communicative Language Teaching, when adapted to students’ learning needs through interactive and collaborative activities, can effectively foster speaking confidence and create a more engaging learning environment in vocational EFL classrooms.