TEACHING LISTENING AND SPEAKING SKILLS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Priscilla Chika Ukwuezeh, Dr. Edna.N. Ogwu & Dr. Cajetan. Ikechukwu Egbe
Department of Arts Education,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Abstract
English language is the world’s international language, hence there is a great need for fluency in the language, but fluency cannot be attained without effective listening and speaking skills. This study was carried out to find out ways teaching and learning of listening and speaking skills English language could be improved for sustainable development. This study dug into the methods of teaching, the challenges of teaching and the strategies that could be used to improve the teaching of listening and speaking skills. A descriptive survey of 220 English language teachers from government secondary schools was used for the study. Data were analyzed using mean statistic and ANOVA. Result indicates that language teachers are still using the traditional method in teaching listening and speaking skills. They do not make use of innovative strategies like: language laboratory computers, tape recorders etc. Teachers face some problems in teaching these skills ranging from: lack of instructional materials, teachers’ low proficiency in English, lack of knowledge of new approaches of teaching and the use of mother tongue for teaching in the classroom. Finding shows that teaching and learning of listening and speaking skill could be improved using active techniques such as debates, regular seminars, and workshops, use of skilful professionals, clearly stated assessment techniques and separate time specification in the school time table for teaching listening and speaking skills.
Contrary to most view, this study discovered that year of experience and educational qualification of teachers have no significant influence on the techniques used by English language teachers in the teaching of listening and speaking skills.
Key words: English Language; Teaching and learning; Listening and Speaking; Sustainable Development.