Fostering Productive Skills in the EFL Classroom

By: Sanaa Altamimi

March 16, 2024

Introduction

Effective communication fundamentally relies on speaking and writing proficiency, making educators’ role in helping students obtain linguistic competence crucial for various reasons.

Writing skills are crucial for EFL students’ academic success, supporting intellectual growth, broadening cognitive domains, and reinforcing new grammatical structures, idioms, and vocabulary  (Jamoom & Osama, 2021). Enhancing speaking abilities is crucial for children’s social and professional interactions, enabling them to communicate effectively and express themselves in various situations.

However, research suggests many students in EFL classes face challenges developing productive skills due to a lack of exposure to practice opportunities (Riza Zahratul & Setyarini Sri). As a result, students’ English competence is low, especially when it comes to speaking, which is a crucial goal of learning English (ibid). In addition to the lack of speaking skill development, students may not have been taught necessary writing skills (Jamoom Osama, 2021).

How can EFL teachers help their students become more productive?

Based on recent research findings and useful resources, we suggest practical tips and remedies to enhance the spoken and written language skills of EFL learners.

Practical tips for teaching speaking

1. Start each day with a stimulating interpersonal speaking activity, such as sharing plans for the weekend or discussing a brief topic in pairs, thus creating a positive and communicative environment.
2. Implement a language immersion strategy by mandating that students use the target language in class activities, promoting constant practice, and reinforcing language retention. For example, implement a rule that requires students to communicate only in English during pair or group work sessions.
3. Guide students’ interactions, highlighting appropriate language use, tone, and expression. Select topics based on interests, act out conversations, and encourage use of newly learned vocabulary to develop necessary speaking skills.
4. Use a variety of activities, such as games, role-plays, debates, and storytelling exercises, to cater to different learning preferences and keep students motivated. 
5. Use a variety of tools and interaction patterns. Enhance overall participation by using online platforms, pair work, group discussions, or whole-class interactions to reinforce participation.
6. Connect verbal practice to authentic contexts. Model common language learning scenarios, such as placing an order for food or requesting directions, and incorporate peer feedback to create a collaborative learning environment free of judgment.
7. Reduce teacher class talking time (TTT) to maximize student speaking opportunities. Act as a facilitator by guiding discussions and providing feedback to improve language production.
8. Emphasize fluency over perfection or accuracy, encouraging students to express themselves even with errors. This builds confidence and motivates freer communication.

Practical tips for teaching writing skills

EFL instructors can develop their students’ writing skills by utilizing a variety of techniques and strategies, including: 

1. Begin every writing assignment with a clear description of its goals and requirements, guiding students to first identify their target audience and outline the key points of the essay. 
2. Break down complex tasks into manageable parts, such as selecting a research topic, planning, drafting, and editing, to simplify the overall process for students and make it more manageable.
3. Assign short and frequent writing tasks, such as daily journaling or reflective writing, to encourage personal expression and continuous skill development.
4. Incorporate different writing prompts into lessons to stimulate creativity and critical thinking. For instance, use prompts related to current events or personal experiences to inspire a diverse range of writing styles.
5. Enhance student engagement by conducting one-on-one conferences to discuss their writing progress. Provide personalized feedback and guidance, addressing specific strengths and areas for improvement.
6. Utilize technology to enhance writing skills by integrating editing and revising tools, encouraging students to use online resources and to responsibly incorporate available AI tools (see The Best AI Tools for Students ).
7. Introduce students to diverse writing genres like essays, short stories, and opinion articles, to enhance their adaptability.
8.  Incorporate grammar and vocabulary exercises for language proficiency. 
9. Connect writing assignments to students’ cultural contexts and experiences. For example, consider cultural relevance to make the writing more meaningful and engaging for the students.
10. Emphasize the significance of revision and editing in the writing process, promoting student participation through peer-review sessions and self-editing exercises.
11. Encourage group brainstorming and collective idea development, promoting teamwork and creativity, and improving students’ writing to boost their confidence.
12. Include creative writing exercises that stimulate imagination and self-expression. For instance, incorporate storytelling activities or creative prompts that enable students to explore their creativity within the confines of the writing assignment.
13. Encourage students to write for real audiences, such as blogs, letters to the editor, or community projects, to enhance their writing skills beyond the classroom.
14. Foster a culture of peer review by promoting constructive criticism and continuous assessment of students’ writing processes. Break down grading criteria and provide feedback at different stages instead of relying solely on final drafts.
15. Create a supportive and encouraging atmosphere for writing by fostering a sense of pride in students’ written work. Encourage a positive mindset that views writing as a process of growth and self-expression (Bridge Universe). Show outstanding pieces in class or create a writing portfolio showcasing progress over time.

Experiences of EFL teachers

Na’la Al-Mahdawi, Head of the English Language Supervisors Department at the Ministry of Education in Jordan (MOE) and 2022 MEPLI Fellow, in her tenure as a teacher, encouraged the process approach as an effective instrument that helped her students write better. She recommends a process called RAFT, which encourages students to use their creativity to explain their writing methodically. In addition to allowing them to use their imaginations and creative skills to present unconventional ideas that give the topic a fresh perspective, it involves them in the exploration of a particular topic or concept, supporting students in developing a deeper understanding of the writing process, the audience they will write for, the variety of writing genres, and the anticipated content. Al-Mahdawi remarked, “Teachers are recommended to use RAFT to teach creative thinking skills and creative reading at different school levels” (Al-Mahdawi and Al-Smadi, 2019, p. 108).

In conclusion, nurturing learners’ productive English skills in EFL contexts is a rewarding endeavor for educators. Teachers create an engaging learning environment that promotes confident English communication by combining authentic language experiences, interactive activities, and focused feedback. This helps with language learning and cross-cultural understanding, in addition to boosting communication.

Resources

1-Al-Mahdawi, N. J., & Al-Smadi, O. M. (2019, December 30). The potential of RAFT strategy for improving Jordanian EFL students’ creative writing. Lublin Studies in Modern Languages and Literature, 43(4), 105. https://doi.org/10.17951/lsmll.2019.43.4.105-113

2-Albashir Jamoom, O. (2021, April 30). EFL students’ needs for improving their writing skills. Scholars International Journal of Linguistics and Literature, 4(4), 106–111. https://doi.org/10.36348/sijll.2021.v04i04.004

3-Riza, Z., & Setyarini, S. (2020, January 1). EFL flipped-classroom: Promoting HOTS in speaking skill. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.200406.051

4-https://bridge.edu/tefl/blog/teaching-writing-esl-students/

6-https://www.iu.org/blog/ai-and-education/best-ai-tools-for-students/