Pre-Service Teachers’ Strategies in Teaching Speaking in Secondary School: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

In today's education system, the development of English language skills, particularly speaking skills, is paramount for students' academic success and future employability. Despite the recognised importance of these skills, research indicates that students' speaking proficiency remains unsatisfactory. While there is a significant amount of research on teaching speaking skills, studies focusing on pre-service teachers' strategies in this area are limited. As future educators, pre-service teachers must be equipped with effective strategies to address these challenges. This study aims to explore the strategies employed by pre-service teachers in teaching speaking skills to secondary school students in Malaysia. The research adopts a qualitative approach, utilising semi-structured interviews with two pre-service teachers. The findings reveal several strategies used by these teachers, including the use of debate, cooperative learning, role-play, and storytelling. This study aims to provide insights that can aid educators and policymakers in enhancing the quality of teaching and improving students' speaking skills in ESL contexts in Malaysia