Investigating Techniques to Enhance EFL Speaking Skills in Grade 9 at Complexo Escolar Nº 110 – Lubango”

Abstract

The purpose of this research study is to investigate the way speaking skills are taught in Grade 9 at Complexo Escolar Nº110 – Lubango. My experience as a teacher in the aforementioned institution I have noticed that students face several difficulties in communicating in English as result of ineffective strategies and techniques adopted by teachers in teaching English as foreign language. As a consequence, they tend to have problems in expressing their ideas in English, and interact with other English language speakers. For the purpose, A total of 2 teachers of English and 45 pupils were taken as the sample of this study, data was collected through a teacher and student questionnaire administered to the two groups simultaneously. The results revealed that; (1) speaking is the one of the most important skills to be learnt in EFL learning, thus, it is fundamental for the learners to know its functions, purposes, types and importance. (2) the factors that affect EFL speaking skills in the classroom are scarce opportunities to practice speaking outside the classroom, paucity of necessary vocabulary, fear of making mistakes, lack of motivation, teaching techniques, and lack of self-esteem. (3) strategies to develop EFL speaking skills in the classroom are varied and depend from teacher to teacher as well as context from context. (4) The most preferred techniques to enhance speaking skills in the classroom are; describing pictures, communication games, listening and repeating, information-gap activities, dialogues, discussion/conversation, and role play.