Investigating Speaking Skills Problems encounteredByStudents of Preparatory year Program at Al-BahaUniversity from the Perspectives of Lecturers and Learners

Abstract

The aim of the research is to explore the problems of speaking skill for students of preparatory year of Al-Baha University, Saudi Arabia. In order to answer the questions of the study, the researcher adopted a methodology that combines the descriptive and experimental approach. For the descriptive design the sample of the study consisted of (54) teachers of the university, most of them are MA and PhD holders. A questionnaire was prepared and refereed by specialized assistant professors then directed to teachers to answer (agree, strongly agree, neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree). For theexperimental approach,the sample of the study consisted of (50) students of preparatory year of Al-Baha University. The speaking skills integrated in the set book were used with the study group in the first term of the academic school year (2019 – 2020). A test of (20) items was designed to be used as a pre -posttest. The findings of the study indicated that there are statistically significant differences in mean scores of speaking skills test in favor of the post application.The study indicated that there is a wide range of difficulties and problems facing those students. The demographics of the society around them is one of the most inevitable obstacles. The gap between teaching speaking at secondary stage and university is one of those obstacles. Students of preparatory year are mostly shy while trying to speak. The study recommended reviewing the ways of assessing student’s speaking skill taking into account the tribal nature of the students. The administration of the university should draw explicit goals at the local level of the universityto help students develop the skill. The role of teacher is increasing constantly under those circumstances to help his students improve the skill .