LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 21:8 August 2021
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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Use of Role Plays in Developing Speaking Skills of
Undergraduate Students: An Experiment

S. J. Nikam, M.A., B.Ed., SET., Ph.D.

Abstract

Teaching English in India successfully is still a burning issue. After learning English for more than ten years or so, the under graduating populace cannot communicate in English either in the classroom or in real-life contexts. Therefore, students' proficiency in English has been the constant thought of teachers, teacher trainers, ELT experts, and linguists over all these years. We, as teachers, are always conscious of how we can make our students learn English, how they would become fluent in English. We do some experiments with pedagogical devices in the classroom. This paper is an attempt to find out how do role plays help in developing speaking skills. This paper is also an attempt to find out whether role plays help in developing students' communicative competence.

Keywords: ELT classroom, speaking skills, role play, communicative competence, language skills, communicative approach, techniques to develop speaking skills, Intervention, and observations.

Introduction

Since English is the language of this technological, globalized world, students across the globe have to be on their toes if they want to survive academically. English is the only language that probably will help them acquire a prosperous position in their career in the near future. As far as the undergraduates from Indian universities are concerned, most of them (especially students from traditional courses) lack employable skills, communication skills, and soft skills. They may be good in their domain knowledge, but they may not be able to communicate fluently in real-life situations. This experiment conducted on undergraduates to develop their speaking skills through role plays proved an effective technique for developing speaking skills.

Speaking Skills

In our day-to-day use, we need to speak for a variety of purposes, including both formal and informal context like a) to communicate with other, b) to interact with other, c) to express our views/ideas/thoughts d) to discuss in a formal context e) to face an interview f) to give lecture/presentation/talk, etc. So, we need to develop our speaking skills in English to grab new opportunities. It has been noted that students who have presentable English may have a greater chance for further education, finding new prosperous jobs, and even getting a promotion. Therefore, this is a matter of concern for students to learn to speak well and teachers to know how to teach effectively. It is noted that teachers worldwide, in the case of a second language or foreign language, give stress primarily on grammar, vocabulary, and reading skills. In contrast, teaching and other language skills are neglected, especially speaking skill is not paid proper attention in the classroom. Speaking skill has also been overlooked while framing the syllabi.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

S. J. Nikam, M.A., B.Ed., SET., Ph.D.
Associate Professor in English
Arts, Commerce and Science College, Nashik
Mobile No: 9604640610
sandipnikam59@rediffmail.com
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