Efficacy of communication skills teaching methods and learning strategies: enhancing tertiary students’ communicative competence in Tanzania
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Date
2020
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Journal of Linguistics and language in Education
Abstract
This study evaluates the efficacy of the methods and strategies used in Communication Skills (CS) course teaching and learning in Tanzania. Specifically, it identifies the methods and strategies used, and examines the appropriateness of the same in upgrading students’ CS. The study involved 596 respondents, and data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and group discussions. It is indicated that instructors use varied methods, but questions and answers, web browsing, and library research are perceived the most appropriate. Besides, students also use multiple strategies but group discussions, web browsing, and listening to English conversations are considered the most appropriate. Therefore, instructors are urged to spend some time during students’ entry to university to study the incoming students, particularly on how they learn / behave during the learning process, to accommodate the students’ learning differences, difficulties, and preferences when selecting teaching methods. Also, establishing a strict filtering mechanism as an option to improve students’ CS, proposed by Rugemalira (2017), is a good proposal. However, currently, it can result in filtering all applicants because many have low language proficiency. Instead, what we need to do meanwhile, is stressing on formalising the use of modern mobile technologies in teaching since have been revealed to be appropriate.
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Journal Article
Keywords
Methods, strategies, efficacy, communicative competence, teaching and learning