1. Teaching Listening and Speaking Skills in the ESL classes By Arundathie Abeysinghe Lecturer in English International Aviation Academy SriLankan Airlines

2. Listening skills Teaching listening skills is a difficult task for any ESL teacher Successful listening skills are acquired over time Listening skills need lot of practice At times, it's frustrating for students There are no rules as in grammar teaching

3. What are the inhibitors? Often it is the mental block While listening, a student suddenly decides that he or she does not understand what is being said on the listening exercise Sometimes they get distracted by external noises

4. How can students overcome their inhibitors? Key to help students improve their listening skills is to convince them that not understanding is OK Majority of students do not understand during the first few days Students need to listen to English as often as possible Listen for short periods of time instead of long listening exercises

5. Basics of exercises Take an example from life you want to be healthy and get in shape If you try to walk five kilometers on the first you may not be able to do so But if you walk one kilometer on the first day you will be successful On the second day walk two kilometers Gradually increase the distance you walk

6. Listening basics Listening is also a similar exercise Listen 5-10 minutes on the first day Gradually increase the time of listening Listening exercises should be given several times a week Listen to a short conversation in a radio station or a short educational tape Do not listen to a long lecture or conversation for a long period of time If listening exercises are given several times a week students will get used to them

7. Listening tips Listen to something you enjoy a nice song, an interesting talk Listen for key words - help you understand general ideas, e.g. a trip to California a trip to California with my family last month Listen for context the situation explained during the conversation

8. Speaking skills Speaking is the primary mode of communication All humans learn to speak as part of their natural biological development An important component of the language teaching Speaking exercises are integral in the adoption of another language

9. Components of a Speaking Exercise Contextualized practice - clear the link between linguistic form and communicative function Opportunity to personalize language - students can express their own ideas, feelings, preferences and opinions An awareness of the social use of language - appropriate social behavior and the language that accompanies it Opportunity to build confidence - build ease and confidence in students to produce language quickly and automatically

10. Main features of speaking Importance of accuracy Predictable organization and sequencing Using correct pronunciation and grammar Creating an effect on the audience Using appropriate vocabulary Using an appropriate opening and closing

11. Thank you!