Communication

Communication only really happens when there is a possibility of communication breakdown.  Think, for example, of the last time you tried to give someone directions to your house, or the last time you had a disagreement with someone: you chose your words very carefully to make sure that you wouldn't be misunderstood.

One of the problems with so-called communication tasks in EFL course books is that no-one really cares whether or not they understand the other person, or for that matter whether they're being understood.  In a "dialogue" between a customer and a waiter, the students both know that since no food is being served, it doesn't matter if the waiter understands the order or not.

This is one reason why games are useful: when you're playing a game, the game world matters to the players.  When you watch the World Cup, think about what the players are saying to each other, what the coaches say, what the referee says: there can be no room for misunderstanding or the game is lost!