UNIT 8 - SPEAKING

            Unit 8 is about Speaking. It is one of the four language skills, speaking is a productive skill like writing. It involves using speech to communicate meanings to other people and also a lot more than just using grammar and vocabulary accurately in speech. Furthermore, students often think that the ability to speak a language is the product of language learning, but speaking is also a crucial part of the language learning process. As teacher, I realize that I should use interactive strategies to help students to deal with this significant skill. For instance; using body language such as gestures, eye contact, facial expressions and movements to put the message across more strongly and clearly, of course clarifying meaning, asking for opinions and agreeing to keep the interaction between everybody in the classroom. In addition, Speaking can be formal or informal: Informal speaking is typically used with family and friends, or people you know well. On the other hand, Formal speaking occurs in business or academic situations, or when meeting people for the first time. "Speaking is probably the language skill that most language learners wish to perfect as soon as possible. It used to be the only language skill that is difficult to practice" Washington, DC (2003). Students have to take into account that in oral communication there are important aspects that play major part in successful and those are: fluency, accuracy and appropriacy. In conclusion, I would help to develop this skill to my learners by making them recording their own voice and after that they will listen to the errors they have when speaking. And also making students practicing role plays I think it will help a lot in their learning process.  

You can find more information about Speaking skill on these links:

https://www.englishclub.com/speaking/what-is-speaking.htm

http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/digests/Speak.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAU2zx2Ri_M

References:

- Washington, DC (2003). The National Capital Language Resource Center

http://www.nclrc.org/essentials/speaking/stratspeak.htm

- Spratt, M., Pulverness, A., & Williams, M. (2011). The TKT course. Ernst Klett Sprachen.