Enhancing EFL Students' Speaking Confidence: The Role of Explicit Communication Strategy Training

Raside Dag-Akbas*
Department of English Language and Literature, Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey.
Periodicity:July - September'2024
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.14.3.20941

Abstract

One of the most challenging aspects of being an EFL teacher is coping with reticent students who are largely unwilling to communicate. This mixed-methods single case study, conducted with volunteer preparatory class students experiencing speaking anxiety at a Department of English Language and Literature in Turkey, aims to determine whether explicit training in communication strategies alleviates English-major students' speaking anxiety. The study employs a pre-posttest experimental research design and combines qualitative and quantitative research methods. Both verbal and numerical data indicate that the students' use of communication strategies, language production, and classroom participation are relatively higher compared to their levels before the strategy training. The results suggest that strategy training can effectively reduce EFL speaking anxiety among students. Accordingly, the study provides valuable insights for educators, practitioners, and program designers aiming to enhance students' oral communication skills in EFL settings.

Keywords

Communication, Strategy, Training, Speaking, Anxiety, English.

How to Cite this Article?

Dag-Akbas, R. (2024). Enhancing EFL Students' Speaking Confidence: The Role of Explicit Communication Strategy Training. i-manager’s Journal on English Language Teaching, 14(3), 24-36. https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.14.3.20941

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