EFL Teachers’ Perception and Practice of Using Strategies of Teaching Speaking Skills and the Challenges they face: Six Secondary Schools of Gimbo District in focus

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the EFL teachers’ perception and practice of using strategies of teaching speaking skills and the challenges they encounter in English classroom of six secondary schools in Gimbo district. Specifically, it was aimed to examine the perception of EFL teachers about using the strategies of teaching speaking skills, to assess the extent of EFL teachers practice on using the strategies of teaching speaking skill and identify the challenges teachers encounter in using the strategies of teaching speaking skills in the speaking classes. To this end, six high schools were purposively selected and all 35 English teachers were engaged in the study. A descriptive survey design involving both qualitative and quantitative approaches was used. Data were analyzed and discussed quantitatively and qualitatively. Based on the analysis of the data, it was found and concluded that teachers believed using strategies of teaching speaking as important as using strategies to teach other language skills: listening, reading, writing, vocabulary and grammar in English Language class. Most of them had also positive perception about the contribution of using strategies of teaching speaking skills. The study also found that they had little practice on incorporating speaking activities into their lessons. They didn’t use strategies of teaching speaking skills regularly. The study found that lack of interest, fear of making mistakes, lack of material of teaching speaking skills.To achieve the objective of teaching speaking skills the teachers have to sustain their positive perception and develop the habit of using different strategies of teaching speaking skills. They should use audiovisual aids or other materials to support teaching activities & assess students' speaking skills. Students should be motivated to have interest to use the language and participate in speaking activities. Educational sectors have to provide training and learning materials to support teachers in using strategies of teaching speaking skills.