Examining Communicative Strategies usage in Teaching and Learning of English Language :A Study of Colleges of Education in Ghana

Abstract

The study examined five communication strategies specifically pause and hesitation,
questions, code-switching, message abandonment and all-purpose words used by tutors
and students and the reason for the using them. Case study methodology was applied. The
research population in Ghana's Bono and Ahafo Regions included English tutors and
college students. The researcher chose three English tutors and 500 pupils using purposive
sampling techniques. The data was analysed qualitatively. The study indicated that
students employ communication techniques when they realised, they are having problems
conveying their intended meaning and must find a solution. The study found that students
and tutors in college English classrooms use inquiries, pauses, code-switching, message
abandonment, all-purpose phrases, restructuring, literal translation, repetition, and
requests for aid. The study indicated that communicative strategies made tutors and
learners feel more competent in talking with others and boosted their communicative selfconfidence. The study suggested that institutions of education should teach
communication methods to future instructors. This would help teachers appreciate
communication