FOSTERING EFL LEARNERS’ SPEAKING AND LISTENING SKILLS VIA ORAL ACTIVITIES OF READING SHORT STORIES

Since the beginning of language studies, second language acquisition (SLA) researchers have been searching for effective ways of improving learners’ language skills. This study aimed to investigate the effects of reading short stories on English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ speaking and listening skills. So, Two groups of experimental (n=20) and control (n=20) were chosen out of 172 sophomores at teacher training center, Birjand, Iran for this experimental research. Interview was the determined instrument for gathering the scores of pretest. The control group followed its routine procedure in English classes. However, the task of reading simplified literary texts (short stories) was applied for the experimental group members during their English classes as assignment. For example, they were supposed to read the stories and summarize them in front of the mirror at their home and in front of the class in next session and answer their classmates’ questions. This experiment occurred in 9 sessions of classes. Then, all students in both groups answered the questions of the interviewer. The statistical analysis related to t-test was done on gathered raw scores. Data from this study demonstrate a significant role for reading simplified short stories in improving the speaking and listening skills of participants in the experimental group. The findings of this study may help the learners to enhance their independent English language learning and improve their oral skills by reading short stories. All steps of this study will also be beneficial for EFL teachers who are searching ways of improving speaking and listening of their students.