Impact of English Proficiency Training on Primary School Teachers Development of English Speaking Skills

In Pakistan, English as a foreign language is taught from primary classes in public sector schools. Teachers mostly practice traditional teaching method which focuses on reading and writing skills. In primary classes, little importance is paid to the development of speaking skills in English. The government is providing training for teachers in the area of English in order to enhance their speaking skills, strategies and methodologies. This study was designed to explore the impact of English Proficiency Training on primary school teachers' development of speaking skills in English language. The study was based on the qualitative paradigm of research and carried out in the form of case studies of two primary school teachers; one male and one female, who had attended the English Proficiency Training programme in 2008 and were teaching in primary public schools in the district Mirpurkhas. The study focused on understanding what the teachers' perceptions were about their learning from English Proficiency Training programme, what they learned regarding the development of their speaking skills in English; and how their new learning influenced their practices. Data were collected through interviews, observations, informal talks, group discussions and field notes. The study suggests that teachers' personal commitment plays an important role in the application of English Proficiency Training in order to bring about a change in their practices to develop the speaking skills in English despite the challenges. It recommends that teachers need to bring about a change in their teaching methodology and move away from the traditional to the activity-based teaching method. It also suggests the need for coordination between the training institute and the district education officers to ensure a successful implementation of training, along with a strong follow-up mechanism.