First of all this is not a method, but an approach to teaching and learning a second language. The emphasis is on meaning versus the more traditional approach that emphasizes structural/grammatical competence. A communicative approach focuses on authentic and meaningful exchange of new information. Teachers pose genuine questions as opposed to display questions. An example of a display question is "Are you a student" versus a genuine question is "what does your uncle do for a living?" The emphasis is on authentic materials versus a traditional textbook. By using authentic materials, students see the connection to their own language and culture as they have the background knowledge to access this knowledge. Communicative approaches emphasize negotiation of meaning, social contexts of learning, interaction among students, information gap activities, cooperative learning, role playing. There is an attempt to replicate the immersion of a natural language learning environment. Grammar is an important of the classroom, but it does not drive the curriculum.