Development of Speaking Skills through Activity Based Learning at the Elementary Level

Purpose: This paper discusses an effective instructional method called ‘activity based learning’ that can be used to develop the speaking skills of students in the elementary school level. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of activity based learning on the development of the speaking skills of low and high achievers in a 6th grade class at the elementary school level. Research Methods: The research was based on pre-test post-test equivalent group design. A total of 50 male students served as participants in this research. The participants were selected randomly from two sections and then a pre-test was administered. Based on pre-test scores, the participants were divided equally into experimental and control groups. High and low score achievers in each group were also identified. The experimental group received instruction based on the activity based learning method, and the control group was instructed through the traditional language teaching method. At the end of the experiment, a post-test was administered to measure the development of speaking skills in students. The independent sample t-test was used to test the significance of difference between the mean scores of groups at the 0.05 level. Implications for Research and Practice: The findings of the study suggested that activity based learning was an effective way to enhance students’ speaking skills since the experimental group post test score was significantly different from the control group post test score. Based on the result of the study, it is recommended that the activity based learning method be used in class to develop and enhance the speaking skills of students. It is also recommended that teachers be provided training to implement the activity based method in language lessons.