An Exploration of Teaching Oral Skills in English Through Communicative Activities in Raya Timuga Secondary School: Grades 11 And 12 in Focus
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Date
2011-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to explore the teaching of oral skills in
English through communicative activities employed particularly in Raya
Timuga Preparatory School. Specifically, the study was intended to assess
students oral communication’, examine whether the teacher uses a variety
of communicative activities while teaching oral skills and to find out the
availability of special programs designed to enhance students’ oral
communication.
In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a descriptive survey method
was used and the data were gathered through questionnaire, classroom
observation, interviews and content analysis. Both open-ended and closeended
questionnaire was distributed to the sample students and semistructured
interview questions were employed with the available English
teachers and purposefully selected students. Observation and content
analysis were also held based on checklists and chosen criteria in
accordance with the objective of the study.
Based on the information gathered through the above instruments and its
analysis and interpretation, the findings of the study revealed that
teachers and students did not play their roles as stated by modern
methods such as the communicative language learning and teaching. The
study further raveled that teachers’ method of teaching, lack of
backgrounds knowledge students’ fear of making mistakes, lack of
authentic communicative activities, lack of well organized programs which
were the major factors that inhibit students’ oral communication. Finally,
based on the implication of the findings, recommendations were made for
language teachers, text-book designers and bodies concerned.
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Keywords
Teaching Oral Skills