Developing the speaking skills in Anatolian lycee prep classes with special emphasis on fluency

106 ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the extent to which students speak English fluently and confidently in and out of the class, regardless of their making mistakes. It also aims to determine whether or not students participate in conversation classes when their teacher does not correct mistakes, but encourages them to speak, helps them feel confident and create a real atmosphere in the class. The data have been collected through the administration of two different questionnaires at three Anatolian Lycees. In the first chapter, the purpose of the study, the problem, the scope of the study and assumptions are presented. The second chapter focuses on the nature of language and oral communication in learning a foreign language, and the difference between knowledge and skill are presented. Major language teaching methods and recent trends in the teaching of speaking are discussed. Activities for oral practice are also mentioned in this chapter. In the third chapter, the method of analysis and interpretation of the data collected are discussed. In the fourth chapter, a suggested model for developing fluency in speech is recommended. In the last chapter, summary of the study, implications and recommendations for further research are presented.