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An Effective Way for Practising Speaking

Submitted by nagmso on 22 November, 2008 - 18:51.

I advise my colleagues to use debates as a good policy to allow EFL students practicse speaking. Topics can be selected from daily activities and day-to-day speeches and talks.

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Rania Jabr

Practising speaking

Submitted on 23 November, 2008 - 13:00

I use questionnairs or surveys. After students fill those out, we as a group discuss common answers and analyze opinions and responses. The net is full of sites that have tons of simple surveys or questionnairs that can be personal and of interest to our students. I choose ones that are personable and of interest to our students to encourage them to talk. An added value is that they think and put their thoughts in writing first, then when the time comes to talk, they are less inhibited and more willing to contribute to the discussion. No one is put on the spot. They have their answers somewhat ready. Rania

Nik Peachey

Video Speaking Activities

Submitted on 25 November, 2008 - 13:41

There's a really nice website called Big Think http://www.bigthink.com/ where prominent thinkers from around the world (mostly the US though) post their opinions on various topics. Students can then vote on whether they agree, but can also video a response using a webcam and upload it to the site. Getting students to use their speaking to really communicate like this, and to watch and listen to themselves can be very motivating for them. The level of language on Big Think is quite high, but you could use the concept with your students to get them to record their own opinions and vote and reply to each other's opinions. The videos could go on a class blog or just store them on a hard drive. Best
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