Sudanese EFL Learners’ Oral Communication Problems

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate the Sudanese EFL learners’ oral communication problems. Since oral communication is an important part of the aim of learning languages, this study intended to investigate the problems that face Sudanese EFL learners when they communicate orally in English, and the causes of these problems. It also aims to suggest solutions, and strategies which can help Sudanese EFL learners to overcome these problems. The research data have been obtained by using two instruments: the interview and classroom observation. The data have been computed and statistically analyzed (by using the Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) Program, version12.) The research findings have shown that the main problems that face Sudanese EFL learners in oral communication are problems of pronunciation, weakness of speaking skills, difficulty in communication, and Lack of fluency. The findings have also revealed that most of the subjects think that the main causes of Sudanese EFL learners’ oral communication problems are: lack of practice speaking in English, the negative effect of the Arabic environment, the shyness of students to speak in English, shortage of native English language teachers in Sudan and the influence of mother tongue. Some methods of teaching English are not suitable for developing the oral skills of the students, and most of the textbooks do not have enough oral activities. In addition, the results have shown that the strategies that Sudanese EFL learners have to adopt to overcome these problems and develop their oral communication skills are: more Practice of speaking English, more reading and listening to English texts. Other strategies include: teaching by native English teachers, changing the methods of teaching at all educational levels (adopting communicative method of teaching) and the modification of the Sudanese textbooks at all levels of education to include more oral communication activities. The study mainly recommended that: Sudanese EFL learners have to do more practice speaking and listening to English language inside and out side the lecture- room in order to improve their oral communication skills. Sudanese syllabus designers have to increase the oral activities in Englishlanguage text books at all levels of education to improve the oral skills of Sudanese EFL learners.