Developing Successful Communication Skills of ESL Learners Through CLIL Technique (A Case Study of OPF Public School Sheikhupura)

Abstract

This study has been conducted to understand the impact of CLIL (content and language integrated learning) teaching technique on the speaking skill of ESL learners of Pakistani public school. The focus on content provides an aim for learning language used in communication. The stratified random sampling technique has been used to select the sample of 30 students (with an equal number of girls and boys) from 8th class of OPF Public High School, Sheikhupura. This is a mixed method study in which both qualitative and quantitative designs have been used. Researcher has collected the data through a speaking task before and after applying the experiment of CLIL teaching technique. Modified APTIS General Speaking Test with certain amendments according to researcher‟s requirements has been used as a speaking task. Data has been collected in two stages: pre-test stage and post-test stage. The significance value is determined through a non-parametric Wilcoxon Sign Rank test. Descriptive statistics like percentages, mean scores and standard deviations are calculated in both pre and post-test to calculate the effect of CLIL technique on the speaking skills of students. The difference in score of pre-test and post-test has determined the change in level of fluency in speaking skill of students before and after the application of CLIL technique. Results have shown that ESL learners developed their speed of talking, vocabulary, and creative ideas after the treatment. CLIL also enhanced the confidence level of students and they reduced speaking hesitation. This study has provided some teaching suggestions based on findings, along with the recommendations for future researchers.