An investigation into the application of audio-lingual method to develop speaking skills of pre-intermediate learners at an english center in danang city

Abstract

Audio-lingual method is not a new method of teaching, and there has been numerous research investigating into this teaching method in Viet Nam and around the world. However, there is no research of applying the Audio-lingual method on teaching speaking skill to pre-intermediate learners at an English center in Da Nang city. This thesis aims to investigate into the application of the Audio-lingual method and its drills in a speaking course for pre-intermediate learners and the benefits as well as challenges that teacher and students face during the course. There are 20 learners who are 10 and 11 grade students at Da Nang high schools taking part in the course and answer the questionnaire. The thesis is multimethod research, with the combination of self-evaluation (through teaching diary of the teacher) and questionnaire for learners. The research shows how the Audio-lingual method is applied in speaking classroom for pre-intermediate learners and what benefits that teacher and learners receive, as well as challenges they face. There are three drills that are used in the course, including repetition, backward build-up and substitution. The most common benefits when applying the Audio-lingual method into teaching a speaking course are the improvement of students’ confidence, creative, fluency, especially the knowledge of vocabulary and sentence patterns which help them use language flexibly and effectively. Participants in this research say that they have a lot of benefits when learning speaking with the Audio-lingual method, such as immediate correction, pattern remembering, vocabulary and ideas, and listening improvement. There are also some challenges that learners face, consisting of the old habit of writing a text and learn by heart, or the ability of understanding the videos, etc., and learner also give suggestions for future course. Based on findings, some suggestions for further research are made