Speaking instruction in the Algerian secondary schools : EFL teachers' attitudes and classroom practices

Abstract EN

The modern approaches to language teaching have privileged the teaching of oral communication skills in the EFL classroom.

In the case of Algeria, new Competency-Based syllabuses were designed to break with the old teaching practices putting more emphasis on the teaching of speaking.

The present study sought to investigate the Algerian secondary school teachers' attitudes and their practices of teaching speaking.

A qualitative methodology is used and two questionnaires were administered to 200 participants.

The data analysis revealed that teachers are aware about the importance of oral production skills but their teaching practices are characterized by a significant emphasis on reading and writing.

Factors like lack of guidance and teacher training, overloaded syllabuses, textbooks content and the Baccalaureate examination system were found to hinder speaking instruction.