Development of Speaking Skills through Activity Based Learning at the Elementary Level

Öz

Purpose: This paper discusses an effective instructional method called ‘activity based learning’ that can be used to develop the speaking skills of students in the elementary school level. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of activity based learning on the development of the speaking skills of low and high achievers in a 6th grade class at the elementary school level. Research Methods: The research was based on pre-test post-test equivalent group design. A total of 50 male students served as participants in this research.

The participants were selected randomly from two sections and then a pre-test was administered. Based on pre-test scores, the participants were divided equally into experimental and control groups. High and low score achievers in each group were also identified. The experimental group received instruction based on the activity based learning method, and the control group was instructed through the traditional language teaching method. At the end of the experiment, a post-test was administered to measure the development of speaking skills in students. The independent sample t-test was used to test the significance of difference between the mean scores of groups at the 0.05 level. Implications for Research and Practice: The findings of the study suggested that activity based learning was an effective way to enhance students’ speaking skills since the experimental group post test score was significantly different from the control group post test score. Based on the result of the study, it is recommended that the activity based learning method be used in class to develop and enhance the speaking skills of students. It is also recommended that teachers be provided training to implement the activity based method in language lessons.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Speaking skill,activity based learning,second language

Kaynakça

1. Abdelhamid, T. S. (2003). Evaluation of teacher-student learning style disparity in construction management education. Journal of Construction Education, 8(3), 124-145.
2. Bailey, K. M. (2005). Practical English language teaching: Speaking. New York: McGraw-Hill.
3. Baker, J., & Westrup, H. (2000). The English language teacher’s handbook: London: Bloomsbury Group: Continuum.
4. Brown, G., & Yule, G. (1999). Teaching the spoken language. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Brown, H. D. (1994). Teaching by principles: an interactive approach to language pedagogy. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Regents. Burns, A., & Seidlhofer, B. (2002). Speaking and pronunciation. In N, Schmitt (ed). An introduction to applied linguistics (pp. 211-232). Routledge.
5. Burns, A., & Joyce, H. (1997). Focus on speaking. Sydney: National Center for English Language Teaching and Research.
6. Churchill. D. (2003). Effective design principles for activity-based learning: the crucial role of 'learning objects' in Science and engineering education. Retrieved of October 10, 2011 from http://www.learnerstogether.net/PDF/Effective-Design-Principles. pdf
7. Domin, D. S. (2007). Students’ perceptions of when conceptual development occurs during laboratory instruction. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 8(2), 140-152.
8. Goh, C. (2007). Teaching speaking in the language classroom. Singapore: SEAMEO Regional Language Centre. Haley, M. H., & Austin, T.

9. Y. (2013). Content-based second language teaching and learning: An interactive approach. Boston: Pearson Education. Harfield, T., Davies,
10. K., Hede, J., Panko, M., & Kenley, R. (2007). Activity-based teaching for Unitec New Zealand construction students. Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, 12(1), 57-63.
11. Hein, G. (1991). Constructivist learning theory. Retrieved from on 19 November 2011. http://www.exploratorium.edu/IFI/resources /constructivistlearning.html.
12. Holmes, D. (2003). Speaking activities for the classroom. Bangkok.
13. Hull, D. (1999). Teaching science contextually. Retrieved on December 04, 2011 from: http://www.cord.org/uploadedfiles/ Teaching_ Science_ Contextually.pdf
14. Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Englebrook, NJ: Prentice Hall.
15. Littlewood, W. (1992). Teaching oral communication: A methodological framework. England: Blackwell Publishers. Mahbub-ul-Alam, A., &
16. Khan, M. E. I. (2014). Speaking in a second language in Bangladesh. NU Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences & Business Studies, 1(1), 135-142.
17. Mercer, N. (1998). English as a classroom language. In N. Mercer & J. Swann (Eds.), Learning English development and diversity (pp. 119-147). New York: Routledge
18. Murray, P., Donohoe, S., & Goodhew, S. (2004). Flexible learning in construction education: A building pathology case study. Structural Survey, 22(5), 242-250.
19. Numan, D. (1991). Language teaching methodology: A textbook for teachers. New York: Prentice Hall.
20. Panko, M., Kenley, R., Davies, K., Piggot-Irvine, E., Allen, B., Hede, J. & Harfield, T. (2005). Learning styles of those in the building and construction sector. Report for Building Research New Zealand, Inc. Unitec New Zealand, Auckland.
21. Patil, Z. N. (2008). Rethinking the objectives of teaching English in Asia. Asian EFL Journal, 10(4), 227-240.
22. Phakiti, A. (2014). Experimental research methods in language learning. New York: Bloomsbury publishing.
23. Powell, K. C. and Kalina, C. J. (2009). Cognitive and social constructivism: Developing tools for an effective classroom. Education, 130(2), 241-250.
24. Prince, M. (2004). Does active learning work? A review of the research. Journal of Engineering Education, 93(3), 223-231.
25. Songsiri, M. (2007). An action research study of promoting students’ confidence in speaking English. (Dissertation of Doctor of Education Degree), School of Arts, Education and Human Development, Victoria University, Australia. Retrieved from eprints.vu.edu.au/1492/1/Songsiri.pdf Suydam,
26. M. N., & Higgins, J. L. (1997). Activity-based learning in elementary school mathematics: Recommendations from research. Columbus, Ohio: ERIC/SMEE.
27. Wyse, D., & Jones, R. (2001). Teaching English language and literacy. London: Taylor & Francis Group.
28. Zahoor-ul-Haq; Khan, A., & Tabassum, R. (2015). Effect of ABL method on students’ performance in listening skill at Grade-VI. Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (Pakistan), 23(3), 95-108.
29. Zhang, Y. (2009). Reading to speak: Integrating oral communication skills. English Teaching Forum, 47(1), 32-34.