Requirements Needed for the Improvement of English Listening-Speaking Courses in Iraq

Abstract

English language students and learners, of a non-native mother-tongue, and especially in Iraq, do not practice communicating in English sufficiently. Students of English language and literature in Iraqi educational systems interact very little in English. Also, this is a similar case found to be present in educational systems in Iraq, whether in schools or upper educational systems, such as colleges and universities. As an English language teacher in Iraq for many years, it has been found that English students are exposed very little to speaking practices in English. There is insufficient second/foreign language exposure to native English communication, whether through the lack of interaction with native speakers or the lack of exposure to native language communication through tapes and materials. It is the aim of this paper, to give certain suggestions, reached through experience and study of teaching/learning methods and advice, which should lead to better English language teaching/learning. Certain points have been suggested, which involve requirements and needs of better English language teaching/learning, specifically in Iraq. As an English teacher, specifically as a teacher of speaking and listening courses, and as an English language student, in and outside of Iraq, certain conclusions have been reached for better and more efficiency in English classrooms. Results include the need of a more appliance of the communicative approach and more emphasis on native language exposure and skills. Through experience also, it has been reached that English language students, in Iraq, in general, are incapable to communicate proficiently in English. Thus, a second aim is to show how this leads to a gap in English as a second/foreign language learning and teaching and, therefore, suggestions have been listed and discussed in order to help learners of English language reach better competence of English and improve their second/foreign language capabilities and skills, especially their speaking and listening skills.