Debating in EFL Large Classes

Abstract

This study aimed to develop some speaking skills in large classes. A treatment based on some debate strategies was developed. To measure the impact of using a strategy in improving speaking skills, two speaking tests were developed. Those tests were administrated to the first year EFL students at Al-Salam Secondary School in Ismailia; (N=39) pre and post intervention. The intervention manipulated the Debate-Based Strategy. The results revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the pre and post–speaking test of the study group in favor of the post test. Accordingly, it was concluded that the proposed strategy had a significant effect on developing the targeted speaking skills among the participants. The study recommended that the debate-based strategy may be included in EFL set courses at the secondary stage in order to prepare the EFL learners for the university level.