How to improve students oral ability?

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yanggr
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:19 am

How to improve students oral ability?

Post by yanggr » Wed Dec 21, 2005 1:43 am

My students are advanced learners in EFL learning environment. they can express themselves but sometimes they have organization problem about what to say and they can pronounce separate words correctly but can not speak out sentences in a fluent and native-like way. how can i help them?Is there any material i can use effectively? Thanks very much! :)

moonchild7903
Posts: 35
Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2005 2:25 pm

Post by moonchild7903 » Thu Dec 22, 2005 1:36 pm

Hmm... are your students adults? The thing is, related research have found that ultimate attainment (that is, having a nonnative speak with native ability and fluency) occurs in only 5% of second language learners especially past a certain age. So before you look for a solution to your students difficulties, I think you should first set realistic goals.

Based on your post, it looks as though your students have pronunciation difficulties. Related research also show that past a certain age, learners will have difficulties producing a native-like accent because it involves motor skills and that part of the brain that links motor skills and language loses some plasticity with age. So I think you should focus more on helping your students listen with comprehension and to speak to be understood rather than to sound like a native.

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