2. RESEARCH IN SPEAKING
There has not been much research published in the area of developing speaking skills in ESP,
Feak even claims that "in comparison to other approaches to English language teaching,
relatively few pedagogical materials are readily available" (Feak 2013: 49).
Some research has been performed in the area of discussions and debates. A research at US
schools has shown that foreign students have problems participating in class groups with
native speakers (Feak 2013). The research even showed that classrooms discussions “have
been described as particularly stressful for students from non-Anglophone countries who see
themselves less capable, but nonetheless eager to contribute to classroom and small-group
discussion."(Feak 2013: 38). Discussions therefore seem to be an area where students need to
become more confident and proficient.
Literature on developing speaking skills in ESL/EFL suggests that oral activities ought to be
used systematically and should support and push learners to produce spoken output in a
variety of appropriate genres and to provide opportunities for cooperative interaction (Nation
and Newton 2009). In the area of ESP it is particularly important to create opportunities
relevant to the specific field of studies. If the learning is then organized around the following
four strands: meaning-focused input, meaning-focused output, language-focused learning, and
fluency development (Nation and Newton 2009), students can efficiently work on developing
their English speaking skills.
3. IN-CLASS INTERACTIVE TASKS
Pair work and group work are favourite activities which substantially increase students’
speaking time, however, the teacher is not able to provide sufficient immediate feedback to all
students. The following examples present group and pair work in which students themselves
are engaged in observing and giving feedback.
3.1. Discussions with facilitators
In a group of five/six students, two are assigned special roles: one is a discussion facilitator,
one beomes a reporter. The facilitator is responsible for the discussions; his/her task is to
ensure that all others are equally involved in the discussion. The reporter does not participate
in the discussion, he/she just listens and makes notes which can concern the topic only, or
both the topic and the language used.