THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND DEBATES IN ENHANCING SPEAKING SKILLS
Keywords:
Speaking skills; oral proficiency; group discussions; academic debates; communicative competence; collaborative learning; language development; peer interaction; social constructivism; educational methodologyAbstract
This article examines the efficacy of group discussions and structured debates as pedagogical approaches for developing oral proficiency in educational contexts. Drawing on social constructivist learning theories and communicative competence frameworks, the research synthesizes theoretical foundations with empirical evidence to demonstrate how these interactive methodologies foster enhanced oral proficiency. The study highlights specific benefits including increased practice opportunities, reduced affective barriers, authentic communication contexts, integration of critical thinking with speaking, and development of paralinguistic communication features. Analysis of implementation considerations reveals that structured frameworks, strategic grouping, and content integration significantly impact effectiveness. The findings suggest that well-implemented discussion and debate activities provide comprehensive development of multiple dimensions of speaking competence simultaneously, promising their broader adoption across educational settings.
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