Abstract:
This study aimed at investigating the actual practices and challenges of teaching and learning speaking
skill in EFL classes: The study was carried out at Gedebgie Secondary School with Particular reference
to grade eleven. Specifically, the study attempted to examine the actual practices and challenges of
teaching and learning speaking skill in English classes; to identify the activities that the teachers employ
to teach speaking skill, to find out problems teachers face when they teach speaking skill and to describe
how the teachers encourage the students in teaching speaking skill. To achieve the objectives of the study,
a descriptive survey design was used and the data were gathered through questionnaire and interview.
Close-ended questionnaire was distributed to the sample students. It was used to find out how the
teachers motivate the students to participate in speaking, how to address the problems which hinder the
students from speaking English and what important activities the teacher use to develop the students’
speaking skill. The data which were collected through questionnaires were analyzed using frequency and
percentages. However, the data that were collected through interview were narrated qualitatively. The
results indicated that the students did not participate in speaking activities actively owing to fear of
making mistakes, lack of exposure, inadequate speaking activities, students’ mother tongue, fear of
criticism , large class size, shyness, shortage of time, the teacher did not give feedback to students and
teachers’ traditional teaching method. Based on the findings, the researcher suggested that- teachers
should advise the students not to be afraid of criticism and making mistakes
