TEACHING ORAL SKILLS TO NINTH GRADERS FROM “JUAN MONTALVO” SCHOOL, ESMERALDAS, 2018

Abstract

Teaching oral communication is a difficult task for any teacher, in any language, anywhere in the world, since it is a complex and multidimensional language process.

Of paramount importance, however, is the fact that oral communication is mostly interactional, because it occurs between two or more people, where the participants usually take turns, acting alternately as a speaker and listener alike.

In order to analyze the development of oral skills in 30 ninth graders at Juan Montalvo High School, a descriptive qualitative-quantitative study was carried out, using the observation and a survey as research techniques.

To achieve such an aim, first the students´ main difficulties in the development of the speaking ability were diagnosed; then, the main difficulties that hamper the development of speaking from the teaching viewpoint were determined; And finally, a set of oral activities, and their corresponding teaching aids were designed.

The results showed that both accuracy and fluency are affected in the ninth graders studied, that the teacher does not use a communicative or task- based approach, and he takes most of the class talking time. It was also found out that the material aids being used do not include modern equipment and technology.

It is concluded that all those factors are causing disinterest in the learners and are the cause of their language problems in speaking. The activities and materials designed would help the students overcome the difficulties they have faced in speaking so far.