Teachers’ perception towards the Speaking tasks of NEW PROSPECTS

Abstract

Abstract The present work sheds light on teachers’ perceptions towards the effectiveness of the speaking tasks of third year secondary school textbook New prospects in enhancing the learners’ oral proficiency. This research was conducted with eight third year secondary teachers from five secondary schools in Bordj Bou Arreridj. To carry out this research, qualitative approach was adopted , a semi-structured interview for data collection and a thematic analysis for data analysis interpretation. Results revealed that third year secondary teachers are not satisfied with the learners’ oral proficiency and with the speaking tasks of New prospects , which tend to be irrelevant to the learners’ needs and interests. The speaking skill is not emphasized within the curriculum because the Baccalaureate exam takes a written format. Finally, teachers do not rely on the textbook’s speaking tasks to teach speaking. Several recommendations emerged, teachers suggested that the responsible authorities should consider a re-evaluation of the whole textbook. They added that it is necessary that the responsible authorities include an oral test in the baccalaureate exam. In the end, they highlighted the necessity of providing the educational establishments with the needed equipment to teach the language, specially language laboratories.