Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to assess the teachers/students perception, practice and
challenges of group work in teaching and learning English language speaking skills in order to
examine how to apply of group work on the language performance particularly in speaking skills
classroom. In the case of Grade 10 Anger Gute secondary School. Descriptive design was
employed in this study. The sample sizes of the study were 4 EFL teachers and 180 students in
2011E.C. The students were selected using a random sampling. To collect data from the sample
group, questionnaire, interview and observation were used. The questionnaire was the major
tool and interview and classroom observation were the supporting tools that helped in
the triangulation of data collected. This in turn enhanced the validity of the research. Data
were analyzed quantitatively by percentage, and qualitatively by description. The findings
indicated that both the teachers’ and students’ about the perceptions, practices and challenges
of group work used in teaching and learning speaking skills perceive positively towards the
uses of teaching and learning speaking skills. However, both the teachers and students were not
used in authentic situation and for the targets of language practicing were poor and teachers
teaching methodology also one of the problems. some students came with poor educational
background and low language proficiency; as a result, they intended to use their first language
or they become careless to take part in activities, there was no conducive environment and
language center in order to improve their language abilities and the formed groups last only for
a period, students lack experience of working in groups. particularly, in speaking lesson; some
were passive for the activities were not graded , in some active learners used to dominate the
group; because of fear or lack of self confidence some students failed to take part in group
work or simply sit and expected to done their task from their leader. The result also revealed that
instruction of group work activities through speaking lesson has a few transactions
(recognizable start and finish. And lessons were not supported by visual aids. In the end, some
recommendations have been given. Maximizing the students‟ proficiency in the language at
elementary level. Student should start using the language communicatively through group work
at the grass root level. Teachers and administrators should create an English environment in the
school to increase students‟ opportunities to practice English i
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