Enhancing Oral Communication Skills in English among Grade 6 Pupils of Balangon Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Good oral communication skills in English is one of the most important factors that need to be developed and enhanced among our learners simply because it leads to effective communication. Thus, the researcher aims to discover the reasons for pupils' unwillingness to communicate in English and to find ways to overcome the barrier.

METHODS

The study is a qualitative research that requires only a single class. The tool to be used is an Oral Communication Test with Rubrics as the basis and criteria for assessment of 34respondents. In order to make this study possible, an action plan was created and was implemented in the classroom through observation and keeping records of Grade 6 pupils' improvement and interaction.

RESULTS

The findings of pre and post intervention phases of thirty-four (34) participants proved that the pupils' oral communication skills have shown a remarkable improvement by giving opportunities to practical oral languages, providing conducive learning environments, and using new teaching strategies. The study recommended that the time allocated for teaching oral communication skill must be increased to give students the chance to carry out different speaking activities. Teachers should support their pupils to overcome inhibition problems by being friendly, helpful, and cooperative so that they will be able to speak comfortably in their class and not worry about making mistakes.

DISCUSSIONS

Enhancing the communicative competence among our pupils is one of the most crucial situations for English teachers. English is the second language in the country and it is necessary to build communicative competence among learners. Lack of linguistic knowledge often leads pupils to shyness. They are found to be silent or have profound fear of committing mistakes. The students not given opportunities to speak English in their everyday communication leads to poor oral communication. The researcher attempts to investigate the level of speaking competency of Grade 6 pupils, the difficulties that the pupils encounter with problems in oral communication, and the ways to improve difficulties in oral communication skills.