Enhancing speaking skills of young adolescents through collaborative activities

This study aims to investigate the effects of collaborative activities on secondary school learners studying English as a Foreign Language (EFL). This study will shed light on whether such activities enable students to improve their speaking skills since traditional and structure based classrooms prevent them from practicing the language. In traditional classrooms, interaction gets interrupted by insufficient knowledge of speaking strategies and learners always tend to speak the native language. In order to improve learners speaking skills, researcher conducted 12 weeks of study using collaborative activities effectively in the classroom. Before conducting the study, the researcher conducted a questionnaire including 29 items to understand which strategies learners are lacking, and did a speaking exam using a speaking rubric to figure out if the learners had developed themselves. The researcher also took notes after each lesson and asked learners to write minutes paper to collect data. After the study, the same questionnaire and speaking rubric was administered to understand whether learners made a significant difference. The study will enable teachers to shift their teaching style from a traditional one to a more enjoyable and communication based classrooms by using collaborative activities. It is also important as collaboration is a 21st century skill that is required in all work environments, therefore preparing the learners to real life situations. Research findings will reveal the collaborative ways to improve speaking strategies and uninterrupted communication in the classroom.