Effectiveness of Using Communicative Approach in Developing Students’ Speaking Skills

Abstract

The study aims at investigating the effectiveness of using the communicative language approach (CLT) in developing the speaking skills of secondary school students from the perspective of English language teachers. The study also seeks to identify the problems that hindered teachers from using the communicative language teaching approach (CLT). To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher used the descriptive approach. The questionnaire was also used to collect data from the participants. A random sample of all English language teachers in Omdurman locality was chosen. Accordingly, 100 teachers participated in this study. The data obtained from the subjects was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed the following results: 1. There is a positive relationship between the teacher's attitudes towards the effective use of the communicative language approach and encouraging students to improve speaking skills. 2. The communicative language approach plays an effective role in developing the speaking skill of English language students. 3. There is a positive relationship between teachers' attitudes towards using the communicative language approach and its effective application in developing the speaking skill of English language students. 4. The lack of authentic material and class size represent the biggest problems that teachers faced in applying the communicative language approach in teaching speaking skills to English language students. 5. There are statistically significant differences between teachers’ attitudes and the effective use of the communicative approach according to the years of experience, as the study revealed that the participants with experience (10-15 years) are more willing and effective towards using the communicative language teaching approach (CLT) in developing students’ speaking skills.