Résumé:
Speaking is considered to be an important skill and one of the major skills that EFL learners
need to master. However, it is deemed to be a problematic area in language teaching and
learning especially in regards to fluency and accuracy i.e. oral proficiency. The present study
attempted to explore EFL teachers’ and learners’ attitudes towards the role of English
Speaking Clubs (ESCs) in improving EFL learners’ oral proficiency. It was thus assumed that
joining ESCs would be welcomed by both teachers and learners from the five levels. To test
the assumption, this study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data
was collected using an online student questionnaire and a teacher interview. The questionnaire
was answered by 42 LMD English language majors who are at the same time members of
some Algerian ESCs, namely The Hive, WATI, and an ESC at TEFL Academy. Additionally,
a teacher interview was conducted with Speaking Class university teachers at the department
of English at the University of Mohammed Seddik Ben Yahia, Jijel. The findings showed that
regardless of the uncommonness of ESCs, EFL teachers and learners had positive attitudes
towards the role of English Speaking Clubs in Improving EFL learners’ oral proficiency and
they encouraged the establishment of more ESCs in Algeria.
