The Effects of Communicative Activities on EFL Learners’ Speaking Performances in CLT Classroom1

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Rezalou A., Yağız O.

International Journal of Languages’ Education and Teaching, cilt.11, sa.1, ss.1-19, 2023 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

In the current study, the researcher investigated improving EFL learners’ speaking performances using communicative activities. The design of the study was classroom action research. The researcher followed a quantitative method in this study. A Ph.D. student in the ELT department as the teacher-researcher and 40 second-year EFL students enrolled in the ELT program participated in this study. To select participants, the researcher used convenience sampling. The teaching and learning process of the study consisted of ten cycles that were carried out in ten weeks. Each cycle included four stages: planning, action, observation, and reflection. Different instruments such as English-speaking tests, lesson plans, observation checklists, the rubric of speaking, and questionnaires were used for collecting data. To calculate mean scores of the pre-test and post-test scores and to find any significant differences between the two tests descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed-ranked tests and to find inter-rater reliability among three raters for two tests, the researcher used the Interclass Correlation Coefficient test. The findings revealed the effectiveness of the interventions and communicative activities in the speaking classes. Statistically, significant differences were found in EFL learners’ perceptions of their speaking ability, performances, classroom participation, anxiety level, willingness to speak, and self-esteem. Overall, students favored activities that provided a competitive classroom environment and led to a high level of classroom participation. The results indicated the effectiveness of speaking classes, because students were significantly more satisfied with their speaking ability after the interventions. Students’ perceptions and attitudes about their interactional skills were chenged significantly after the study