One of the big challenges that language teachers face is promoting oral language. Language teachers and learners alike often consider speaking the most difficult aspect of learning a language. In several of the case studies our teacher friends express the difficulties they have developing oral language. If we look at Anna for instance, we see that she is trying to plan a final task that promotes student speech. She has decided to allow them to use a script during the presentation to ease some anxiety; does this still mean the students are speaking?
As a language teacher it is important to know what counts as speaking in language learning and how to promote such skills. This section explores communicative activities, including challenges and benefits of their use, and the criteria for determining to what degree an activity is communicative.