PEOPLES’ DEMOCRIC AND REPUBLIC OF Algeria Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research University of Tlemcen Faculty of letters and Languages Department of English The Impact of Class participation on Enhancing EFL Learners’ Speaking Skills : The Case of Third-Year Foreign Languages Learners at Miloud Bouazza Secondary School- Maghnia. This Thesis is submitted to the Department of English in Candidacy for the degree of Master in Language Studies. Presented by : Supervised by: Miss. Naima BEHADADA Dr. Zakia DJEBBARI Board of Examiners Dr. Annisa KHALDI President Tlemcen University Dr. Zakia DJEBBARI Supervisor Tlemcen University Mr. Rafik DJENNANE Examiner Tlemcen University Academic Year : 2014-2015 Dedication I dedicate this work to: My beloved parent for their encouragement and support in my studies. To my brothers: Chaabane, Abdou Rezzak, Mouhamed Amine. I Acknowledgements First of all, I should address praise to almighty Allah who helps me to finish this work. I am deeply thankful to my respectful supervisor Dr. Zakia Djebbari for her precious help and great patience and support for the realization of this unassuming work. I would like to extend my thank to the broad of examiners including Dr. Annisa Khaldi and Mr. Rafik Djennane who accepted to examined and evaluate my research work. My special thanks also go to all English teachers and pupils at Miloud Bouazza secondary school in Maghnia for their help. Last but not least, I would like to express special thanks to everyone who supported me in this work. II ABSTRACT Speaking is considered as one of the important skills that must be mastered in learning or studying foreign languages. While, class participation seems to be one of the primary means of getting language learners more engaged in classroom activities. the combination of these two didactic concepts could lead students to reach a successful proficiency level in English as well as to accomplish their learning goals. Hence, this research work is concerned with pupils of third-year foreign languages at ‘Miloud Bouaaza secondary school, in Maghnia. It aims at highlighting the effectiveness of class participation in promoting oral production and the correlation between them in addition to revealing the crucial role of the teacher in improving learners’ speaking. This investigation tries also to shed light on a number of efficient strategies to embolden and enhance pupils’ participation. III Table of Contents Dedication………………………………………………………………………....I Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………II Abstract………………………………………………………………………….III Table of Contents……………………………………………………………......IV List of Tables…………………………………………………………………....X List of Pie-Charts and Bar-Graphs.......................................................................XI List of Acronyms and Abbreviations…………………………………………..XII General Introduction…………………………………………………………….1 Chapter One : From Participating Actively to Speaking Accurately 1.1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………….5 1.2. SPEAKING SKILLS………………………………………………….5 1.2.1. Definition of Speaking Skills…………………………………………5 1.2.2. Aspects of Speaking Performance……………………………………6 1.2.3. The Effectiveness of Speaking for EFL Students…………………….6 1.2.4. Teachers’ Role in Correcting Speaking………………………………7 1.2.5. Obstacles Preventing the Development of Speaking Skills………….7 1.2.5.1. Large MultilevelClasses/ Mixed Abilities Classes………………..8 1.2.5.2. The Nature of the Topic……………………………………………8 1.2.5.3. Limitation of English Hours………………………………………..8 1.2.5.4. Lack of Vocabulary………………………………………………...8 IV 1.2.5.5. The Absence of the Appropriate Materials………………………....8 1.3. CLASS PARTICIPATION …………………………………………….9 1.3.1. Definition of Class Participation……………………………………….9 1.3.2. Kinds of Class Participation…………………………………………...10 1.3.2.1. Over-Participation………………………………………………….10 1.3.2.2. Small-Group Talk…………………………………………………..10 1.3.2.3. Para-Participation…………………………………………………...11 1.3.2.4. Exploratory Talk…………………………………………………….11 1.3.2.5. Mandatory/ Forced Participation…………………………………....11 1.3.3. The Significance of Learners’ Participation……………………………12 1.4. CAUSES EFFECTING NON-PARTICIPATION………………………13 1.4.1. Self-Confidence………………………………………………………….13 1.4.2. Fear of Making Mistakes………………………………………………...14 1.4.3. The Negative Behaviour of the Teacher………………………………...14 1.5. THE LINK BETWEEN SPEAKING SKILLS AND CLASS PARTICIPATION………………………………………………………..14 1.6. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………...15 Chapter Two : Research Design & Data Collection 2.1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………..18 2.2. RESEARCH DESIGN………………………………………………………18 2.3. MILOUD BOUAZZA SECONDARY SCHOOL : a Brief Overview……...18 2.4. SAMPLE PROCEDURE…………………………………………………....19 2.4.1. Teachers’ Background…………………………………………………….19 2.4.2. Learners’ Background……………………………………………………..19 2.5. RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS……………………………………………...20 V 2.5.1. Teachers’ Questionnaire…………………………………………………..20 2.5.1.1. Methodology of Teachers’ Questionnaire……………………………...21 2.5.2. Learners’ Interview………………………………………………………..23 2.5.2.1. Sturctured Interview…………………………………………………….23 2.5.2.2. Semi-Structured Interview……………………………………………...23 2.5.2.3. Unstructured Interview………………………………………………....24 2.5.2.4. Methodology of Learners’ Interview…………………………………..24 2.5.3. Classroom Observation…………………………………………………...25 2.5.3.1. Structured Observation…………………………………………………25 2.5.3.2. Unstructured Observation……………………………………………....25 2.6. CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………..26 Chapter Three : Data Analysis & Interpretation 3.1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………29 3.2. DATA ANALYSIS………………………………………………………..29 3.2.1. Teachers’ Questionnaire Analysis………………………………………29 3.2.2. Learners’ Interview Analysis……………………………………………35 3.2.3. Classroom Observation Analysis………………………………………..36 3.3. DATA DISCUSSION AND INTERPRETATION………………………..38 3.4. CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………40 VI Chapter Four : Pedagogical Recommendations 4.1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………43 4.2. PEDAGOGICAL ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE ORAL SKILLS………..43 4.2.1. Using Communicative Activities………………………………………...43 4.2.1.1. Role-Play……………………………………………………………….43 4.2.1.2. Discussion……………………………………………………………....43 4.2.2. Teachers’ Role……………………………………………………………44 4.2.3. Peer Coaching…………………………………………………………….44 4.2.4. Dramatization/ Tragedy of Scenes……………………………………….44 4.2.5. Dialogue Drill…………………………………………………………….44 4.2.6. Problem Solving………………………………………………………….45 4.3. LEARNERS’ TECHNIQUES TO OVERCOME LACK OF PARTICIPATION……………………………………………………………….45 4.3.1. Students’ Preparation of Assignments……………………………………45 4.3.2. Asking Questions………………………………………………………….45 4.3.3. Arriving Early……………………………………………………………..45 4.3.4. Pick out a good Seat……………………………………………………….46 4.3.5. Listening to English Materials…………………………………………….46 4.3.6. Learning One Word Per Day……………………………………………...46 4.3.7. Recording Some Passages………………………………………………...46 4.3.8. Mastery Brain……………………………………………………………..46 4.4. PEDAGOGICAL RECOMMENDATIONS………………………………..47 VII 4.4.1. The Implementation of Cooperative Learning Model in the EFL Classroom………………………………………………………………………..47 4.4.2. Some Proposed Activities to be Applied Outside of the Classroom……48 4.4.2.1. Learners’ Animation……………………………………………………48 4.4.2.2. Psychologist’s Contribution in the Learning Process…………………48 4.4.3. Some Tips to be considered……………………………………………....50 4.5. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………….50 General Coclusion………………………………………………………………52 Bibliography…………………………………………………………………….55 Webliograpgy…………………………………………………………………...58 Appendix. Appendix “A” : Teachers’ Questionnaire. Appendix “B” : Learners’ Interview. Appendix “C” : Classroom Observation Sheet. VIII