Development Of Fluency Research Articles

The Effect of Discussion Activities on The Development of Students' Fluency

The article investigates the role and application of discussions in the development of speaking skills, which is one of the important language skills. It is emphasized that the successful application of discussion activities leads to the development of many qualities in language learners, such as critical thinking, the ability to express ideas clearly, self-confidence, fluency in speech. The article also studies the features and types, benefits and limitations of discussion activities. The idea that the role of the teacher is important for the success of the discussions is also confirmed.

The impact of explicit and implicit instruction on EFL learners’ oral performance

Abstract This quasi-experimental study investigated the impacts of two instructional conditions on the fluency of learners’ performance. In the first condition (strategy training), learners were provided with explicit fluency strategy training for a portion of each lesson before rehearsing versions of the speaking task for the remainder of the lesson. In the second condition (massed practice), learners rehearsed the versions of the target speaking task for the entire lesson. Both instructional conditions allowed learners to benefit from language input and task repetition to help conceptualize and encode the content of their speech. Two intact classes of university EFL learners participated in this study. The data were audio recordings of participants’ oral performance of news report presentations in pre-test and post-test conditions. This data was transcribed and coded for speech rate, articulation rate, phonation/time ratio, number of filled and unfilled pauses, mean duration of pauses, mean length of run, verbatim repetition, and repairs. Although the overall effect of the training was found to be insignificant, the estimation analysis revealed that both instructional conditions improve participants’ speech fluency, with the effect sizes ranging from small to medium. These effect sizes are considered meaningful for the speech fluency development of EFL learners in the study context. Hence, both instructional conditions could be applied as a potentially complementary pedagogical strategy in EFL classrooms at the university level, particularly with regard to increasing the accuracy of teachers’ perceptions of learners’ oral proficiency.

Group and Individual Learning Profiles of Complexity, Accuracy, and Fluency in L2 English Writing at Secondary School

According to Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST), language development is an individually owned process. CDST studies should draw from both group-based and individual-based data since research results should not be generalized from the group to the individual and vice versa unless the group is an ergodic ensemble. This paper describes a part of a sequential mixed method (MM) study in which group-based data obtained in a panel study were further analysed with respect to all individual learners. The aim of the study was to examine the individual learners’ development of syntactic complexity, accuracy, lexical complexity, and fluency (CALF) in L2 English writing at secondary school in comparison to the whole group. The study was based on The Written English Developmental Corpus of Polish Learners (WEDCPL), which includes 1,923 essays written by one hundred learners during twenty-one data waves organized over the period of three years at secondary school. The results of the study indicated that the individual learners rarely differed from the group in terms of the average CALF results, but in terms of progress over time, most learners represented different learning profiles than the group. The main implication for practitioners is to empower moreindividual learners to succeed in L2.

Domain-specific and domain-general skills as predictors of arithmetic fluency development

We investigated Norwegian children's (n = 262) development in arithmetic fluency from first to third grade. Children's arithmetic fluency was measured at four time points, domain-specific (i.e., symbolic magnitude processing and number sequences) and domain-general skills (i.e., working memory, rapid naming, non-verbal reasoning, and sustained attention) once in the first grade. Based on a series of growth mixture models, one developmental trajectory best described the data. Multigroup latent growth curve models showed that girls and boys developed similarly in their arithmetic fluency over time. Symbolic magnitude processing and number sequence skills predicted both initial level and growth in arithmetic fluency, and working memory predicted only initial level, similarly for boys and girls. Mother's education level predicted the initial level of arithmetic fluency for boys, and rapid naming predicted growth for girls. Our findings highlight the role of domain-specific skills in the development of arithmetic fluency.

Factors Contributing to English Fluency Paucities among Secondary Level Students: Perspective Dinajpur Education Board, Bangladesh

This study examines the factors contributing to English fluency paucity among secondary-level students in the Dinajpur Education Board, Bangladesh. Despite the prominence of English as a global language, students in this region face significant challenges in achieving fluency. The research identified key factors such as inadequate teaching methods, lack of exposure to English outside the classroom, limited access to English learning materials, socio-economic barriers, and insufficient emphasis on speaking and listening skills in the curriculum. Data was collected through surveys, interviews, and classroom observations, involving both students and teachers. The findings suggest that while students possess a basic understanding of English grammar and vocabulary, their ability to use the language in conversational settings remains limited. Furthermore, socio-cultural attitudes towards English and insufficient teacher training also play a role in hindering fluency development. The study recommends improvements in curriculum design, teacher professional development, and the promotion of interactive English language learning environments. Addressing these challenges could significantly enhance students’ fluency and better prepare them for academic and professional opportunities.

Evaluating the Oral Method in Foreign Language Teaching: Historical Perspectives, Modern Applications, and Pedagogical Insight

This article explores the Oral Method in foreign language teaching, focusing on its historical significance, core principles, and relevance in contemporary education. Originally developed by Harold Palmer and A.S. Hornby, the Oral Method emphasizes verbal repetition, situational learning, and structured grammar acquisition as foundational tools for language proficiency. Through an analysis of its strengths—such as pronunciation accuracy, fluency development, and practical application—and its limitations, including restricted learner autonomy and cognitive engagement, this study highlights the method’s enduring value. The article also discusses the potential of integrating the Oral Method with communicative and task-based approaches, leveraging digital tools and personalized techniques to enhance its effectiveness for diverse learners. Ultimately, the Oral Method’s adaptable principles make it a valuable component of a comprehensive language teaching framework.

The four strands: A simplified approach to SLA for CLIL

AbstractWhile it is widely accepted that language teachers require knowledge of second language acquisition (SLA) (Richards, 2010), what about content teachers, who are increasingly required to help develop their learners' academic language proficiency? How much do they need to know about SLA theories and how can they acquire such knowledge and expertise? This article proposes P. Nation's (2007) four strands framework as a straightforward and accessible model for content and language integrated learning (CLIL) teachers to address the challenge of balancing content and language instruction, a common concern within CLIL programs. The article begins by looking at two well‐known CLIL teacher competence frameworks. It then raises questions about the extent to which CLIL teachers need to master aspects of pedagogical content knowledge about SLA. The authors argue that while CLIL teachers do indeed need knowledge of how languages are learned and of SLA‐informed approaches to developing learners' second language (L2) proficiency, questions about just how much SLA knowledge CLIL teachers need and how they can be equipped with this knowledge remain unanswered. By delineating language learning opportunities into the four strands framework—meaning‐focused input, meaning‐focused output, language‐focused learning, and fluency development—the authors illustrate how this framework offers a practical guide for integrating language and content education effectively in CLIL and bilingual education contexts. The article ends with a presentation of three principles to help CLIL teachers achieve both the content and language teaching objectives of CLIL.

Systematic review synthesising the effects of study abroad experience on the development of language fluency

ABSTRACT Given the importance of learning contexts in second language (L2) learning, study abroad (SA) has received due attention in the L2 literature, as this context has been proposed to accelerate L2 development. In line with recent efforts to synthesise the effects of SA on L2 learning, the present study reports a meta-analysis of the effects of SA experience on the development of L2 fluency compared to the at-home environment. Our dataset comprised 14 between-group studies, all based on quasi-experimental designs, including a comparison group. The results indicate that the SA context had an overall medium effect (Hedges’ g = 0.65, SE = 0.10, 95% CI [0.44, 0.87]) on the development of L2 fluency compared to its at-home counterpart. We also identified several variables related to learner characteristics and SA programme features and further examined their moderating effects on SA. Based on our findings, an in-depth discussion of how these variables are related to the effectiveness of SA was provided, and recommendations for L2 learners and SA researchers involved in SA programmes were proposed.

REVISITING PUPPETS TO TEACH ENGLISH TO CHILDREN: MODEL ACTIVITIES TO FOSTER CLASSROOM ORAL INTERACTION USING PUPPETS

<p>Puppetry, as an educational resource, has been used for years to create a dynamic and interactive learning environment that encourages creativity, active oral participation and language fluency development. In a world where the use of technological tools, digital materials, apps and virtual classrooms have changed the dimension of education, making classes more dynamic and obliquus, puppets are still valuable in the class, as multiple research works have shown. For that reason, we revisited the use of puppets as a pedagogical tool in the English classroom, specifically to foster oral interactions in the English classes of a group of pre-schooling students. In that group, we observed that even though the teacher used multiple resources and activities (such as games, songs, act outs and more), some students did not participate in the oral interaction activities. We decided to design a set of activities mediated by impersonated puppets to foster oral interaction in the class. In this work, we presented the steps for designing those activities and a theoretical foundation for that design. The findings of its application are a matter of further research.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0745/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Effective Strategies to Overcome EFL Speaking Difficulties

This study investigates the speaking difficulties and strategies used by Saudi university students learning English as a foreign language (EFL). The results reveal significant barriers to speaking fluency, with "limited vocabulary" identified as the most obstructive factor, followed by "lack of practice" and "limited exposure to receptive skills”. Pronunciation issues and reliance on memorization also contributed to speaking challenges, though to a lesser degree. Most participants agreed that these issues hinder fluency development. The research also highlights the effectiveness of various strategies used by fluent EFL students. "Socializing with fluent speakers" and "organizing ideas in advance" emerged as the most effective strategies. Additional strategies like studying a topic thoroughly and receiving feedback from expert speakers were also deemed highly effective. The findings align with existing research on EFL fluency, particularly the emphasis on vocabulary, practice, and social interaction. However, the study provides unique insights into the specific cultural and linguistic challenges faced by Saudi learners, underlining the importance of context-specific approaches to language learning.

Efficiency of phonics-based instruction in developing reading, spelling, and pronunciation fluency among Yemeni EFL primary learners

In Yemen, there is a scarcity of research and a lack of application for phonics-based instruction. Hence, the present study aimed to explore EFL teachers' perspectives on the efficiency of phonics instruction in developing reading, spelling and pronunciation fluency among Yemeni EFL learners at primary schools. The study sample comprised 33 EFL teachers from six schools in Dhamar City, Yemen. The participants were asked to give their views and share their experiences on the efficacy of phonics-based instruction in developing the above-mentioned language skills. The participants were selected based on the convenient sampling technique and asked to respond to a questionnaire consisting of 15 statements. The data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS program version 22.0 to display descriptive statistics quantitatively. The results revealed that teaching phonics is so crucial for the development and improvement of learners' reading fluency, spelling mastery, and pronunciation proficiency. In addition, phonics teaching contributes to reducing and/or eliminating the learners' errors in spelling, reading, and pronunciation. The findings highlighted the importance of integrating phonics teaching into the curricula of English in the early stages at Yemeni schools.

Monitorowanie procesu pisania w języku obcym. Analiza przerw z perspektywy Teorii Systemów Dynamicznych

The paper investigates the dynamic character of pausing behaviour in foreign language writing. In a longitudinal study on Polish learners of Swedish, pause length and frequency, as well as the interplay between pause length and the development of lexical diversity, syntactic complexity, accuracy, and fluency, were investigated. According to the assumptions of Dynamic Systems Theory, intra- and inter-subject variability were analysed. The study has shown that the mean length of pauses did not change during the three-year period of second language learning; however, the frequency of pauses significantly decreased, as demonstrated by the increasing number of words written between pauses. There was a considerable variation within subjects during the entire period, and even moderate inter-subject variability was noticed. The occurrence of longer pauses was almost always interconnected with a higher level of accuracy, syntactic complexity, and fluency. This interplay, however, could only be confirmed at the individual level, showing the necessity of following the development of a second language in individuals rather than for the entire group.

Bridging the Connection between Fluency in Reading and Arithmetic.

This study examines the contribution of early executive functions (EFs) in the association between fluency in reading and arithmetic. Kindergarten children (N = 1185) were assessed on executive functions skills and on reading and arithmetic fluency in Grade 1 and Grade 3. The analysis revealed that beyond the connection within each domain there is a unidirectional effect between fluency measures, with Grade 1 reading fluency significantly influencing the development of arithmetic fluency in Grade 3. Furthermore, the findings indicate that kindergarten EFs significantly contribute to arithmetic fluency at both time points and to reading fluency in the first grade. Early EF skills also emerged as significant contributors to the associations between fluency performance in reading and arithmetic, suggesting that the influence of EFs extends beyond individual academic domains. These findings have implications for understanding the cognitive mechanisms that underlie the relations between these academic skills.

Is Second Language Attrition Inevitable After Instruction Ends? An Exploratory Longitudinal Study of Advanced Instructed Second Language Users

AbstractMost second language acquisition (SLA) research has documented the processes involved in learning second/foreign languages, with few studies focusing on the durability of attained second language (L2) skills once instructed learners/users are no longer receiving formal instruction. The current study examines the effects of continued exposure and peak instructional attainment on the long‐term evolution of advanced, instructed L2 learners’ skills following a longitudinal mixed‐methods research design. Participants (n = 28) completed an oral proficiency test, an oral interview, and a vocabulary knowledge test at multiple times over an 8‐year period, 6 years of which were postinstruction. Results showed that continued exposure contributes to long‐term retention (and some further development) of oral proficiency and fluency and that peak attainment at the end of formal instruction is also an important variable for some areas of L2 performance. Additionally, even the participants with limited exposure demonstrated little attrition over time.

The relationship between teachers’ pedagogical practices in CLIL and the development of students’ foreign language oral proficiency

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between foreign language (FL) oral proficiency development and teachers’ pedagogical practices in content and language integrated learning (CLIL). A one-group pretest-posttest design was employed to analyze changes in Japanese university students’ FL proficiency over time, alongside classroom observations and interviews that captured their teachers’ classroom pedagogies in CLIL courses. The results generally indicated that students improved their capacity to achieve communicative goals but failed to exhibit progress in oral linguistic competence. The former outcome was attributed to predominantly meaning-focused instruction, the use of dialogic pedagogy, and ample opportunities to practice FL speaking. In contrast, the absence of explicit language instruction and limited practice of fluency development tasks was perceived to lead to the latter outcome. These findings not only contribute to understanding the effects of CLIL on FL learning, but also shed light on the specific pedagogy-related factors that contribute to FL proficiency development.

Developmental dynamics in oral fluency and learner motivation: A dual‐focus approach

AbstractAdopting a comprehensive dual‐focus approach to oral fluency development, the present study examined the developmental trajectories of oral fluency in tertiary‐level Chinese EFL learners and identified the motivational attractor states helpful for shaping their oral production. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected over two semesters with monologue tasks and semi‐structured interviews, respectively. Oral fluency development was examined using moving min–max graphs, change point analysis, and Monte Carlo simulations, while the retrodiction approach was utilized to identify influential motivational attractor states. Results showed that, over the course of the study, the two learners experienced distinct variability and phase shifts in their development of oral fluency, largely attributable to their unique motivational attractor states. By employing such a dual‐focus approach, the present study provided a nuanced picture of Chinese EFL learners’ developmental dynamics in terms of both oral fluency and learning motivation and the adaptive interactions between them, thus enriching our understanding of how oral fluency development relates to learner motivation.

Beyond Word Recognition: The Role of Efficient Sequential Processing in Word- and Text-Reading Fluency Development

ABSTRACT Purpose Previous studies examining the inter-relations between serial and discrete naming with reading have found that the ability to efficiently process multiple items presented in a sequence (indexed by serial naming) is a unique predictor of word- and text-reading fluency. However, conclusions have been tempered by the concurrent nature of the available data and the uniformly low demands of the materials (words and texts). Here we go beyond previous studies by using more varied materials to examine the relations of serial and discrete naming with the discrete reading of words and the serial reading of word lists and connected text over time. Method Two hundred and eight English-speaking Canadian children (51% female, M age = 7.2 years) were followed from Grade 2 to Grade 5 and were assessed on serial and discrete digit naming and serial and discrete word reading at both measurement points. Results Strong associations between discrete naming and discrete reading already from Grade 2 indicated that short and high-frequency words were processed in parallel early in development. By Grade 5, when word recognition was presumably automatized, serial naming accounted for unique variance in serial reading of word lists and connected texts after controlling for discrete word reading. More importantly, Latent Change Score modeling indicated that serial naming was the main predictor of growth in serial reading from Grade 2 to Grade 5. Conclusion These findings suggest that, beyond individual word recognition, reading fluency development also requires efficient processing of multiple items presented in serial format (termed “cascaded processing”).

The effect of digital game-based language learning mobile application on the development of complexity, accuracy, and fluency in foreign language monologic oral production among Chinese learners of English as a foreign language

The study reported the effect of a digital game-based language learning (DGBLL) mobile application “Speaking English Fluently – An Automated Scoring Artificial Intelligent Tutoring System on Spoken English” on the complexity, accuracy, and fluency in foreign language (FL) monologic oral production among 31 second year Chinese university learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). The participants’ monologic oral production was measured in the first (week 1) and last week (week 21) of a semester using the same narrative picture description task. The oral production was audio-recorded and transcribed. Both the transcripts and audio-files were analyzed on the complexity, accuracy, and fluency dimensions. The complexity was measured using the number of Mean (M) words per T-unit, the accuracy dimension was measured using the number of repairs and errors per 100 words; and the fluency dimension was measured via speech rate (i.e., number of words per minute), and M length of pauses. Students were required to download the mobile application and followed the monological practice section twice a week for 30 minutes each time. Using paired sample t-tests, we found that even though the participants’ repair rate and speech rate remained unchanged, they produced more complex monologic speech, had significantly fewer errors, and reduced average length of pauses after 20 weeks treatment using the mobile application, demonstrating a positive effect of the DGBLL mobile application on FL learners’ monologic oral production.

Learning to Read in an Intermediate Depth Orthography: The Longitudinal Role of Grapheme Sounding on Different Types of Reading Fluency.

Phonological processing skills, such as phonological awareness, are known predictors of reading acquisition in alphabetic languages with varying degrees of orthographic complexity. However, the role of multi-letter-sound knowledge, an important foundation for early reading development, in supporting reading fluency development remains to be determined. This study examined whether two core foundational skills, phonemic awareness and grapheme sounding, have a predictive role in reading fluency development in an intermediate-depth orthography. The participants were 62 children learning to read in European Portuguese, and they were longitudinally assessed on phonemic awareness, complex grapheme sounding, and reading fluency (decoding, word, and text) from Grade 2 to Grade 3. The results showed that grapheme sounding predicted reading fluency development controlled for nonverbal intelligence and vocabulary, short-term verbal memory, and phonemic awareness. Grapheme sounding plays a prominent role in predicting reading fluency outcomes, whereas phonemic awareness (both accuracy and time per correct item) did not contribute to any of the three types of reading fluency. The fact that grapheme-sounding predicted reading fluency is likely due to complex grapheme-phoneme correspondences being required to achieve proficient reading. These findings provide insights into the cognitive processes underlying reading development in intermediate-depth orthographies and have implications for early literacy instruction.

Predicting Reading Fluency Growth from Grade 2 to Age 23 with Parental and Child Factors

ABSTRACT Purpose Reading fluency establishes the basis for the strong literacy skills needed for academic success. We aim to trace how reading fluency develops from childhood to adulthood and identify factors that influence this development. Method In this study, 200 families were followed. All participating children (N = 200, 47% female) were ethnic Finns and spoke Finnish as their native language. The dataset included children’s reading fluency assessments (in Grades 2, 3, and 8 and at age 23), their self-reports, and parental questionnaires. For data analysis, growth curve models that included cognitive, motivational, and parental predictors were constructed. Results Significant variations in both developmental rates and adult outcomes of reading fluency were found. The developmental rate was predicted by rapid automatized naming (RAN), letter knowledge, the formal home literacy environment (HLE) (measured in kindergarten) and reading motivation (measured in elementary school). Adult outcome (fluency at age 23) was predicted by RAN, letter knowledge, formal HLE, and parental dyslexia. Further, those who had parents with resolving reading difficulties were more likely to follow a resolving trajectory themselves compared with those whose parents had persistent reading difficulties. Conclusion Our findings offer novel insights into how reading fluency develops into adulthood and identify key areas for future research to better understand the mechanisms behind reading fluency development.