Investigating Challenges Experienced in listening and speaking Skills development in Rural High Schools in South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22437/ijolte.v10i2.58161Keywords:
Communicative competence, Communicative language teaching, Listening and speaking, English first additional language, Languages of learning and teachingAbstract
Language plays a crucial role in everyday communication. The ability to listen and speak a language serves a very important role in one’s communication. The Constitution of South Africa (Act No.200 of 1993) has given official status to the 11 major languages (which were formerly granted only to English and Afrikaans). Regardless, English has remained a major national language and a medium of instruction in schools and universities in South Africa. English has been labelled a nightmare because many learners in schools experience difficulties acquiring communicative competence in English, their second language. This study investigates the challenges encountered in developing listening and speaking skills in EFAL. The study adopted the qualitative case study design to investigate the above challenges. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaires, and classroom observations. with learners and teachers. The study found that learners have limited English vocabulary. They also have difficulty pronouncing English words and cannot express themselves accurately in English as a second language because it is not their home language. Consequently, their proficiency in the language is low, which impinges on comprehension. The study recommends that teachers ensure they create a beneficial environment for learners to acquire communicative competence; more communicative-focused activities that are conducive to the development of listening and speaking skills should be designed.
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