Investigating the Application of Modern Methodologies in Teaching Aural-Oral Skills to EFL Beginners at Basic Level Schools: A Case Study of Student – Teachers from Faculties of Education at University of Holy Our’an and Taseel of Sciences and University of Gezira, and Basic Level Schools’ Teachers, Gezira State, Sudan (2017

Abstract

Teaching or learning English Language at early stages through modern methodologies help learners to master the basic two skills, listening and speaking. These two skills can positively affect post learning of learners. This study aims to prove that EFL teachers are not familiar with modern EFL methods that develop aural-oral skills; EFL teachers do not apply techniques of EFL modern methodologies to listening and speaking; EFL teachers do not follow the principles of EFL modern methodologies; the number of pupils in the classroom impedes the application of EFL modern methodologies in Sudanese schools; the teaching of techniques of modern methodologies that the teachers have exposed to in their training faculties are not adopted in their teaching practice. Also, to find out if the student- teachers at the educational faculties have a sufficient knowledge of modern methods or not. The methodology followed was a questionnaire for EFL teachers at basic level schools, Gezira State and a test for the student-teachers of English language at the Faculty of Education of The Holy Quran University, Medani and The Faculty of Education of Hassahiesa, University of Gezira. The data were analyzed according to SPSS programme using the frequency distributions for descriptive statistics, t-test and Chi-square. The results have strongly verified and supported the hypotheses of the research that: EFL teachers are not familiar with modern methods’ techniques and principles to apply them inside the classroom to develop aural-oral skills. Besides that, the number of pupils in the classroom impedes the application of modern methodologies. Also, the student-teachers have no sufficient knowledge of modern methodologies. The study recommends that: EFL teachers should be familiar with the principles and techniques that develop aural-oral skills to beginners. Teachers should try to reduce their use of Arabic language inside the classroom. Classroom practice of listening and speaking skills should be incorporated with characteristics of real life listening and speaking. The training course for EFL teachers should be on methods that could be applied at the basic level in Sudanese schools. Training on techniques and procedures for specific methods that could be applied in Sudanese schools are important for novice teachers. at early stages through modern methodologies help learners to master the basic two skills, listening and speaking. These two skills can positively affect post learning of learners. This study aims to prove that EFL teachers are not familiar with modern EFL methods that develop aural-oral skills; EFL teachers do not apply techniques of EFL modern methodologies to listening and speaking; EFL teachers do not follow the principles of EFL modern methodologies; the number of pupils in the classroom impedes the application of EFL modern methodologies in Sudanese schools; the teaching of techniques of modern methodologies that the teachers have exposed to in their training faculties are not adopted in their teaching practice. Also, to find out if the student- teachers at the educational faculties have a sufficient knowledge of modern methods or not. The methodology followed was a questionnaire for EFL teachers at basic level schools, Gezira State and a test for the student-teachers of English language at the Faculty of Education of The Holy Quran University, Medani and The Faculty of Education of Hassahiesa, University of Gezira. The data were analyzed according to SPSS programme using the frequency distributions for descriptive statistics, t-test and Chi-square. The results have strongly verified and supported the hypotheses of the research that: EFL teachers are not familiar with modern methods’ techniques and principles to apply them inside the classroom to develop aural-oral skills. Besides that, the number of pupils in the classroom impedes the application of modern methodologies. Also, the student-teachers have no sufficient knowledge of modern methodologies. The study recommends that: EFL teachers should be familiar with the principles and techniques that develop aural-oral skills to beginners. Teachers should try to reduce their use of Arabic language inside the classroom. Classroom practice of listening and speaking skills should be incorporated with characteristics of real life listening and speaking. The training course for EFL teachers should be on methods that could be applied at the basic level in Sudanese schools. Training on techniques and procedures for specific methods that could be applied in Sudanese schools are important for novice teachers.