Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026)
Volume 1, Issue 1 (2026)

Articles

Developing English Speaking Skills through Role-Play Activities: Challenges and Solutions

Published 2026-01-31

  • Husayn Makzoum Mohammed Binishteewi

Abstract

This paper examines the effectiveness of role play activities in developing English speaking skills in EFL
classrooms. Speaking is often considered as the most challenging language skill for students, particularly in
environments dominated by teacher centered instruction and limited opportunities for authentic communication.
Drawing on communicative language teaching principles and sociocultural theories of learning, it explores how the
role play can promote active student engagement, reduce speaking anxiety, and enhance communicative
competence. The study follows a qualitative descriptive approach based on a systematic review of relevant
theoretical and empirical literature. The findings indicate that role play activities provide a meaningful,
contextualized language practice which supports fluency, confidence, and motivation. Furthermore, the study
highlights key challenges associated with applying role play, such as uneven participation and lack of learner
preparedness, and proposes practical solutions and step by step guidelines for effective classroom application. The
paper concludes that when carefully planned and guided, role play is a powerful pedagogical tool for improving EFL
students’ speaking skills across both traditional and online learning contexts.

Keywords

learning abilities, methodology, student, teaching language, role-play

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