Investigating the Attitudes of the English Language Students as EFL Learners in Using Short Stories to Develop Language Skills

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the attitudes of English language students as EFL learners in using short stories to develop language skills. A descriptive analytical method was adopted in conducting the study. A questionnaire and interview were chosen as tools for data collection. The questionnaire was distributed to (70) students at College of Languages, Sudan University of science and technology. The interview was given to (20) experts in teaching English at different Sudanese universities in Khartoum state. The SPSS program (statistical package for social sciences) was used for data analysis. The statistical analysis for the results of the questionnaire and interview showed that EFL students have positive attitudes towards the use of short stories in enhancing writing skills. All respondents strongly agreed that short stories increase students’ vocabulary, help students to develop communicative competence and understand idiomatic expressions as well as phrasal verbs. The results also revealed that short stories improve learners' reading and promote motivation in EFL classroom. They help students build and construct new forms of sentences, help them understand linguistic competence and expand cognitive skills. They also help improve pronunciation, oral skill, develop critical thinking abilities. Based on the findings, the study recommended that EFL students should be exposed to a wide range of short stories and the way they are implemented. A reconsideration of the place of short stories in curriculum is needed and the way teachers deal with it. There is also a need for trained teachers to adopt short stories in their communicative skills. Additionally, the study was conducted with some suggestions for further studies.