Abstract:

The ubiquity of textbooks to teach English is not questioned but the efficient ways to master speaking skills are still being widely discussed in the literature as the new generation of English learners - digital natives need more efficient ways to develop their speaking skills via the wise blend of classroom work and online support.

The research aims to find out an efficient way to develop speaking skills for university students. It studies how to teach speaking skills starting with the elementary level and how to encourage students to talk in English and use language in real world providing genuine communication opportunities.

The purpose of the paper is to find an efficient way to develop speaking skills that can be suitable for both classroom use and self-study. The authors developed an online course “English as a second language. Elementary level” in a learning management system MOODLE which can be easily integrated into classroom activities. The purpose of the course is to implement such effective learning methods as intensive practice through communicative tasks, real-life lesson models and situations, critical thinking with the help of provocative audio and video including interviews, talks, storytelling and interactive tasks. The course is designed to make an exciting activity out of ordinary learning experience that will show English in all its aspects. The developed course was successfully introduced into an education process and changed the learners’ motivation and attitude for the better. The results of placement and final tests show a significant improvement in the way the students started using the language after they’ve mastered the basic skills. All the participants admitted they had enjoyed the blend of classroom and online activities. The satisfaction survey shows that the course guides learners and masters various interaction patters. It helps students feel more confident in natural real-world conversations and everyday talks.

Keywords:

Speaking skills, communication opportunities, communicative competence, core language skills.