Three-step interview strategy and speaking production

Abstract

Through the years, new approaches for learning a new language have appeared. Traditional learning is considered almost obsolete, new generations of learners require suitable methods in which they feel more comfortable at learning. Thus, cooperative learning activities has become in one of the most effective methods in ESL classes. Threestep interview strategy is part of that approach in which students can work cooperatively arguing about different issues by making and answering questions. The current research project aimed to analyze the influence of Three-step interview strategy in speaking production of students from third semester of Pedagogia de los Idiomas Nacionales y Extranjeros at Universidad Técnica de Ambato during the academic period Octobre 2021- February 2022. The experimental research was applied with a pre-test and a post-test from Cambridge Assessment. Likewise, the learners were assessed with the standardized rubric Assessing Speaking Performance A2. A total of 29 learners participated during the experiment (23 women and 6 men). Along 4 weeks, they were exposed to cooperative activities in which they always used the strategy to complete the speaking tasks. After the application of the post-test, the data obtained concluded that Three-step interview strategy was effective to enhance learners speaking production. The learners showed a significant improvement, since they could get better grades than in the pre-test. These results allowed the researcher to confirm that the interventions with the different oral activities were successful. Therefore, it is recommended to continue applying these kind of cooperative learning activities to help learners to practice the speaking skill.