Enhancing EFL Learners’ Speaking Skill Through Effective Communicative Activities and Strategies The Case of First Year EFL students

Abstract

Speaking English is doubtless essential nowadays since it is globally recognized language in almost all fields. Thus, if we want EFL learners to be fluent and good at speaking we first should encourage them to practice with an eye towards improvement. Second, we must elevate the student's awarness and introduce them to the great importance that speaking skill has in developing their language. The purpose of this work was, then, to explore the effectiveness of using speaking communicative activities to improve speaking skill. The main threefold objectives of the work are identifying the most effective communicative activities which can promote EFL learner's speaking skill, discussing the main problems which may hinder the oral performance and providing strategies to help EFL learners overcome their difficulties ; and, lastly investigating learner's attitudes towards those activities. To reach this end, the case study research was conducted at the University of Abou Bakr Belkaid Tlemcen the department of English language, relying on a questionnaire as an instrument of research. The analysis of results reveals that first year English students are more aware and mindful about the importance of speaking activities in improving their oral proficiency. From an other perspective, EFL teachers agreed that using communicative activities is one of the most effective and beneficial tools to reinforce first year English students' speaking. Finally, this extended essay ends up by providing some fruitful and effecient suggestions for EFL learners to flourish and evolve in their learning process.