EVALUATING SPEAKING ACTIVITIES IN THE SPINE SERIES- ( Sudan Practical Integrated National English) PUPILS BOOK 1, 2 AND 3 : AN ANALYTIC STUDY

Abstract

This study has analyzed and discussed the speaking activities in the SPINE (Sudan Practical Integrated National English) series Book 1, 2 and 3 for the Basic Level Schools. The research covers the extent to which the SPINE series pupil’s book 1, 2 and 3 contains appropriate and adequate speaking activities. The study has examined the; quality and quantity of these activities, their types, their points of strength and weakness, and how to overcome their weakness. The researcher has assumed that; the speaking activities in the SPINE series Pupil’s book 1, 2 and 3 are not adequate in terms of quality and quantity; there are points of strength and weakness in these speaking exercises, and that there maybe other factors beside the book responsible for the pupils weak standard in spoken English. Examining these hypotheses the researcher adopted a descriptive and analytic methodology. Data were collected from, up –to – date resources and a teachers questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed and critically discussed. The researcher reached the conclusion that these speaking activities focus on fluency over accuracy and that the large size classrooms prevent the pupils participation in these exercises. The researcher recommended the revision of the SPINE series pupil’s book 1, 2 and 3 in order to provide activities that focus on both fluency and accuracy equally, the usage of teaching aids that help to distribute the opportunities of prenticing speaking among the whole class and the spoken English should be included in English language tests.