Comparing NLP and Communicative Approach: A Study on Spoken Performance in ELT

 Applications based on Neurolinguistic programming (NLP) in English language teaching (ELT) provide various means to make learning more effective and involving. Nevertheless, research on NLP is often based upon descriptive rather than empirical research. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the efficiency of NLP applications in ELT via comparing it with Communicative Approach (CA) to language teaching. In this study, a group of 4th grade students (N=20) was observed in a classroom in which CA techniques were applied. The students’ frequency of participation was recorded during two lessons. In another two classes with the same group of students, the learners’ frequency of participation was evaluated in a classroom setting where NLP techniques were applied. The results indicate that NLP-related applications are as efficient as CA applications in achieving high level of learner participation and oral production. Keywords: Neurolinguistic programming; language teaching; young learners