The goal for many learners of English as a second or foreign language is to be able to cope with real-time communication, whether in their personal or professional lives. Indeed, the need for what is often termed communicative competence when dealing with speakers of other languages is increasingly apparent in today’s globalized world. This goal can most effectively be realized in the classroom through the provision of plentiful opportunities for meaningful interaction, as this is most likely to facilitate the development of the necessary implict knowledge. Such interaction also approximates the target situation much more closely than traditional, grammar-based approaches, which further increases the likelihood of this knowledge being retrieved during authentic, real-world interaction. Finally, I argue that the effectiveness of this approach can be enhanced by encouraging learners to negotiate meaning among themselves, as well as the judicious use of focus on form. Theoretical and empirical support for this perspective is offered, in addition to my own experience as a language teacher.