Abstract:
The last few decades have witnessed the rise of English from its
position as an International language, to that of global language: a medium
through which people from all parts of the world can communicate with each
other. A good command of English is a crucial benchmark for both
professional competition and personal development. However, there has
been an ongoing debate over the proficiency of the second language. Among
the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, speaking has
received little attention, and is therefore the weakest. It is at the tertiary level
that the ESL learners realize the importance and the need for developing
speaking skills. Their need intensifies when seeking better jobs. There are
various issues involved in the non development of the skill. In this study fifty
eight second year students from the Faculty of Arts University of Jaffna were
selected on a random basis. A qualitative method is used to collect data.
Questionnaires were circulated to the students to gather data. Interviews
were conducted with the staff and class room observation was utilized.
Objectives of this study were to find the cause and remedies for the non
development of the speaking skills and to facilitate the development of the
speaking skills at the tertiary level. The causes and remedies for developing
speaking skills of the second year students were found. The findings revealed
the issues for the non development of the speaking skill of ESL learners.
