Self-assessing Speaking Skill among EFL Students Case of Second Year EFL Students at Tlemcen University

Abstract

Speaking lies at the heart of language learning. From this stand point the majority of students wish to be communicatively competent in the target language. Therefore, the use of speaking self-assessment will help them to monitor their progress and to recognize their own learning needs. Hence, this study aims at discussing the use of speaking selfassessment among EFL students and to what extent they are familiar with this notion. The participants were Five (5) EFL teachers and thirty (30) EFL students from Tlemcen University. Two questionnaires were used to collect data; one was addressed to second year students and the other one to the teachers of oral production. The data collected were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The results revealed that the speaking skill is the most skill wanted to be mastered by EFL students. Despite the fact that speaking selfassessment use can help them to achieve this, most students do not know what is meant by self-assessment. The study concluded with some suggestions and recommendations for students and teachers in order to help them to achieve a better understanding and use of speaking self-assessment. ii