A Comparative Study of Discussions, Debates, and Oral Presentations in Enhancing EFL Learners’ Oral Proficiency

Abstract

This case study investigated the effects of different speaking activities (oral presentations, discussions, debates) on the speaking performance of 11 young adult EFL learners at a university in central Mexico. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and an online survey and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that combining socialization with varied speaking activities and incorporating popular culture topics relevant to students increased motivation, reduced the affective filter, boosted confidence, and improved fluency and accuracy. The integration of student interests and fostering of personal relationships promoted a holistic understanding of cognitive and metacognitive strategies, enhancing overall speaking skills. However, limitations include a small sample size from the same sociocultural context. Further research with a larger, more diverse sample is recommended for unbiased results. The study highlights the benefits of tailoring speaking activities to students' interests and encourages developing interpersonal relationships to facilitate language learning.