SLA Classroom Research and EFL Teaching Practices of Oral Skills

Abstract

Second language acquisition studies have been significantly impacting the field of language learning and teaching and constantly informing EFL/ESL teachers with the best practices and implications for their language classes. The present study, therefore, examines issues on teaching practices of oral skills that are addressed in SLA studies and their relevance and applicability to the Saudi EFL situation in higher education. It highlights issues such as, the importance and limitations of the negotiation of meaning in group-work and pairs, the effect of training of interaction strategies on learners’ oral development, the importance of predicting intonational prominence, providing appropriate, feedback and the use of authentic materials. The present paper will further provide some recommendations on how EFL teachers may initiate interactive speaking activities in the EFL classroom and how that would aid leaners' second language development.