ADAPTING COMMUNICATIVE TEACHING METHODS IN UZBEKISTAN: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR TESOL PRACTICE

Abstract

This article examines the adaptation of communicative teaching methods in Uzbekistan, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities they present for TESOL practice. Drawing on the foundational theories of communicative competence and Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) articulated by Hymes (1972), Ellis (2003), Littlewood (2004), Larsen-Freeman (2011), Butler (2011), Richards and Rodgers (2014), and the perspectives of Uzbek scholars such as Makhkamova (2010) and Sultonova (2018), the paper critically evaluates how communicative pedagogy can be contextualized within Uzbekistan’s developing education system. The analysis shows the gap between policy reforms that promote foreign language acquisition and the realities of classroom practice, where traditional grammar-translation methods still dominate. Key challenges identified include limited teacher training, large class sizes, examination-oriented curricula, and sociocultural expectations. Conversely, the article identifies opportunities such as government reforms prioritizing English, the increasing availability of digital tools, and the growing interest among students to engage in global communication. Recommendations are offered for aligning communicative teaching methods with local realities, including professional development initiatives, curriculum redesign, and the integration of task-based approaches. The article argues that the adaptation of communicative pedagogy in Uzbekistan can act as both a national educational reform priority and a contribution to global TESOL scholarship.