Why Do English Second Language Students Have Speaking Problems?

By Kevin Peterson

There are currently an estimated 2 billion English learners in the world. In many countries, schools now require English classes. However, after years of studying English, students still have difficulty speaking English. When speaking, proper grammar can be useless if speaking is not clear and understood by the listener. It is time to try something different because the current methods are not effectively working. Learning English grammar rules is not enough, and it is impossible to memorize every English conversation. Situations will be different, and making unique conversations is necessary in the real world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kevin Peterson
• Release date: Oct 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005272579

Kevin Peterson

Kevin Peterson has years of experience as a coach, consultant, and American businessman. His passion for traveling around the world helping people fulfill their goals provides him happiness and success.With today’s technology, global communication is rapidly growing and can assist many people in achieving their goals. While traveling around the world, he discovered many English speaking problems and the desperate need to find solutions. Learning English grammar is common, but using English to communicate is challenging for many people. After years of focusing on speaking problems, Kevin found fast and effective solutions. His creative methods have been successful and provided answers for thousands of people around the world.Kevin is determined to help more people with their global communication and English speaking problems by making his methods available in books and online.

Book preview

Introduction

There are currently an estimated 2 billion English learners in the world. In many countries, schools now require English classes. However, after years of studying English, students still have difficulty speaking English. When speaking, proper grammar can be useless if speaking is not clear and understood by the listener. It is time to try something different because the current methods are not effectively working.

Learning English grammar rules is not enough, and it is impossible to memorize every English conversation. Situations will be different, and making unique conversations is necessary in the real world.

The teaching methods for English speaking skills are so ineffective that even the basic speaking skills are not taught or emphasized. Advanced rules for pronunciation and intonation do exist but are rarely taught.

Teaching intonation rules and skills is almost non-existent in ESL lessons. However, intonation makes speaking easy and teaches how to successfully communicate with native speakers in real-life situations. Learning how to speak and understand the standard English accent with learning the rhythm for clear oral communication is essential.

The focus seems to be on grammar and it is important, but speaking skills are also important. Teachers know the importance of speaking skills, and most students agree that speaking is a priority and their biggest problem.

Contents

Chapter 1 Why Speaking is a Problem

Chapter 2 Using English in the Real World

Chapter 3 Speaking - Key to Communication

Chapter 4 Writing vs. Speaking

Chapter 5 Class Methods for Speaking Skills

Chapter 6 Motivation with the English Game

Chapter 7 English Speaking Basics

Chapter 8 English Speaking Mistakes

Chapter 9 Learn to Listen

Chapter 10 Proper Pronunciation

Chapter 11 Intonation – English accent

Chapter 12 Real-Life Conversations

Chapter 13 Problems in Real Life Situations

Chapter 14 English Speaking Practice

Chapter 15 Watching Movies, TV, and Videos

Chapter 16 Games and Activities

Chapter 17 Learning Vocabulary

Chapter 18 Colloquial Phrases / Collocations

Chapter 1

Why Speaking is a Problem

Research shows the problems are the same for ESL (English as a second language) students from all countries. Students will take grammar courses for years, but they still feel uncomfortable when speaking.

"In the typical school lessons on English, teachers explained the grammatical rules, students did the exercises set out in the textbooks, and classroom interactions were largely one-way. Oral communication skills such as speaking and listening were almost totally ignored. Students rarely had the chance to use English in conversation in the classroom, and were under no pressure to become competent in this." (International Education Journal)

Speaking is the one language skill that requires interaction with other people. An individual can learn and practice grammar, writing, reading, and listening without help from other people. However, speaking is tougher as a self-study lesson. Speaking practice is required, and verbal communication becomes a problem without practice.

"It seems that teachers are unaware that studying vocabulary items and grammar rules by students is not enough for improving students’ speaking skills. Teachers are not aware enough that focusing on teaching the form does not necessarily result in using it, and that’s why students need to be engaged in communication—in order to improve their speaking skill." (International Journal on Studies in English Language and Literature)

However, speaking skills still get the least attention. Teachers know the importance of speaking skills, and most students agree that speaking is