Role play as an active technique to improve speaking

Abstract

Currently, the English Language is a fundamental tool for communication around the world and in the Ecuadorian educational system, opportunities for students to practice a second language within the classroom are often very limited. This limitation is because of the lack of class hours, hence teachers must provide their students with options to improve their oral skills. For this reason, the current study aims to develop a system of activities using the active teaching-learning role-play technique to enhance English oral skills. This research was conducted within a quantitative paradigm, employing an experimental design with a sample of 30 students enrolled in the sixth semester A of Pedagogy in National and Foreign Language for the 2023-1 period. During the investigation, it was considered to use theoretical methods such as historical-logical, analytical-synthetic, hypothetical-deductive, and systematic methods, as well as empiric methods such as observation, experimentation, measurement, and pedagogical testing. Finally, the results of the hypothesis verification manifest that when applying a system of activities, there is indeed evident progress in the student’s oral skills.