Education research paper on Oral Proficiency in the Foreign Language

Education on Oral Proficiency in the Foreign Language classroom - Research Paper Example Foreign-language teachers are as a result advised to promote classroom participation of students since through this they will be able to enhance their foreign language speeches. This paper in particular tries to find the appropriate ways that teachers can employ in order to promote foreign language oral proficiency in their classrooms. Research was carried out through interviews, surveys and classroom observations and various findings presented, from which conclusions were drawn. Table of contents Abstract 2 Introduction 4 Literature Review 5 The Importance of Oral Assessment 5 Motivating Students to Speak 6 Results/ Presentation 16 Interview Results/Findings 16 Survey Results/Findings 18 Classroom Observations 19 Discussion and Analysis 20 Pedagogical Applications 24 Recommendations 27 References 30 Appendices 33 Introduction Increasing global development and the need for expanded second language skills have led many educators to seek ways to ensure that students of foreign language s leave their classes with a level of language proficiency. Though tests of written language are frequently defined by state standards that are based on written assessments, spoken language proficiency and the use of oral assessments in language classes are receiving increasing attention. The current literature on this topic reflects varied views of educators and administrators, both in relation to foreign language instruction and as a reflection of efforts in this country to support second language instruction for those with limited English proficiency. The application and increasing emphasis on oral assessments in foreign language instruction in the United States has extended from the realization that spoken language proficiency is an imperative part of the application and utility of language learning. In correlation, educators have applied a range of strategies to improve oral language performance, including methods to motivate learners, improve classroom process, and improve ora l language skills. The purpose of this research is to learn and investigate how to prepare activities to engage students in speaking and how to assess speaking in class. Given that not all students will speak the target language outside of class the classroom is a crucial if not the only space for students to engage in the spoken language in their early learning experience. The purpose of this study is also to ultimately create an assessment system that would match effective teaching practices. The research questions guiding the study are: How can I incorporate oral assessment as a daily part of class? How much weight should I place on oral assessment? How can I provide a classroom environment that will motivate students to speak in class? What would appropriate tasks look like? How do other skills/factors support speaking? Literature Review The Importance of Oral Assessment Foreign language instructors have taken the lead from second language (L2) instructional models that place an emphasis on the acquisition of oral language skills and the application of assessments to determine a learner’s pragmatic skills, the skills that they can use in an authentic speaking environment (Ishihara, 2009). Language educators have recognized that pragmatic competence should be achieved through language experiences in the classroom, and instructors can benefit from making