Developing and Implementing Effective Classroom Techniques through Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) for Acquiring Oral Proficiency among Adult ESL Learners Coursing a Hybrid Program

Thesis Subjects > Teaching Europe University of Atlantic > Teaching > Final Master Projects
Ibero-american International University > Teaching > Final Master Projects Cerrado Inglés Developing and Implementing Effective Classroom Techniques through Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) for Acquiring Oral Proficiency among Adult ESL Learners Coursing a Hybrid ProgramAdult ESL learners are continuously coming to language schools in order to learn the new language. Their interests in learning to speak English include a variety of reasons. In short, to adjust to a new culture and to acquire the skills to survive and thrive in that new culture. It is well known that many approaches to teaching have arisen from researchers’ studies to ensure to development of oral competence. Communicative Language Teaching is an approach to teaching that focuses on developing speaking skills among learners. Both educators and adult learners admit that developing speaking skills in English is not an easy task. Adult learners usually struggle to maintain a conversation in English. Many cognitive, social, and personal factors are involved in adult language teaching. The topic aims to analyze those factors that interfere with the development of oral proficiency among adult ESL learners who take classes partially online under Communicative Language teaching methodology at a language school in Newark, New Jersey. It also aims to design classroom techniques that ensure the development of this competency. It collects data regarding students’ thoughts on the CLT methodology, the social barriers they face while learning a new language, and the learning strategies they use to develop oral competence. Also, the work seeks to shed some light on teachers’ techniques to help students overcome the obstacles that prevent them from developing oral competence. A quantitative, descriptive research approach was carried out for the completion of this project. We describe the situation and the nature of its existence at the time of the study. We give details regarding the type of students at the institution, and we explain in full detail the way classes are carried out. We did in-depth interviews with students and teachers as well, to find out the cause of the problem. A qualitative approach was also taken into consideration. We used qualitative research tools such as surveys and readily data from the institution. Results show that students are overall satisfied with the efficiency of the CLT methodology for promoting oral competence. On the other hand, one of the main red flag aspects shown in the results is that students are not practicing English outside of the classroom context. They lack the real-life context to practice or they are too shy to use the language that they have already acquired. Also, the learning strategies they use to learn and practice English are not effective enough. They mainly rely on translation to their mother tongue when it comes to learning vocabulary or grammar. The techniques used by teachers at the center are efficient in developing speaking skills, however, the institution provides the teaching methodology for teachers and requires them to stick to it when instructing students. This leaves teachers with a narrow frame to use and implement their teaching style and to broadly reach students’ oral competence needs. Keywords: CLT Methodology, Learning Cognitive Factors, Oral Proficiency, Teaching Techniques, Blended Learning. metadata Uceta De Rodríguez, Gidelca Mabel mail cutemabe@hotmail.es (2022) Developing and Implementing Effective Classroom Techniques through Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) for Acquiring Oral Proficiency among Adult ESL Learners Coursing a Hybrid Program. Masters thesis, UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Developing and Implementing Effective Classroom Techniques through Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) for Acquiring Oral Proficiency among Adult ESL Learners Coursing a Hybrid ProgramAdult ESL learners are continuously coming to language schools in order to learn the new language. Their interests in learning to speak English include a variety of reasons. In short, to adjust to a new culture and to acquire the skills to survive and thrive in that new culture. It is well known that many approaches to teaching have arisen from researchers’ studies to ensure to development of oral competence. Communicative Language Teaching is an approach to teaching that focuses on developing speaking skills among learners. Both educators and adult learners admit that developing speaking skills in English is not an easy task. Adult learners usually struggle to maintain a conversation in English. Many cognitive, social, and personal factors are involved in adult language teaching. The topic aims to analyze those factors that interfere with the development of oral proficiency among adult ESL learners who take classes partially online under Communicative Language teaching methodology at a language school in Newark, New Jersey. It also aims to design classroom techniques that ensure the development of this competency. It collects data regarding students’ thoughts on the CLT methodology, the social barriers they face while learning a new language, and the learning strategies they use to develop oral competence. Also, the work seeks to shed some light on teachers’ techniques to help students overcome the obstacles that prevent them from developing oral competence. A quantitative, descriptive research approach was carried out for the completion of this project. We describe the situation and the nature of its existence at the time of the study. We give details regarding the type of students at the institution, and we explain in full detail the way classes are carried out. We did in-depth interviews with students and teachers as well, to find out the cause of the problem. A qualitative approach was also taken into consideration. We used qualitative research tools such as surveys and readily data from the institution. Results show that students are overall satisfied with the efficiency of the CLT methodology for promoting oral competence. On the other hand, one of the main red flag aspects shown in the results is that students are not practicing English outside of the classroom context. They lack the real-life context to practice or they are too shy to use the language that they have already acquired. Also, the learning strategies they use to learn and practice English are not effective enough. They mainly rely on translation to their mother tongue when it comes to learning vocabulary or grammar. The techniques used by teachers at the center are efficient in developing speaking skills, however, the institution provides the teaching methodology for teachers and requires them to stick to it when instructing students. This leaves teachers with a narrow frame to use and implement their teaching style and to broadly reach students’ oral competence needs. Keywords: CLT Methodology, Learning Cognitive Factors, Oral Proficiency, Teaching Techniques, Blended Learning.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	CLT Methodology, Learning Cognitive Factors, Oral Proficiency, Teaching Techniques, Blended Learning.
Subjects:	Subjects > Teaching
Divisions:	Europe University of Atlantic > Teaching > Final Master Projects Ibero-american International University > Teaching > Final Master Projects
Date Deposited:	24 Oct 2023 23:30
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2023 23:30
URI:	https://repositorio.uneatlantico.es/id/eprint/1216

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