شبكة المعلومات العربية التربوية

This quasi-experimental study of one group design attempted to explore how far National Conversation Forums (NCFs ) – as a proposed teaching strategy – can develop EFL university students’ critical speaking skills. It investigated how the discussion of social issues in well-organized forums with specific ethos and ethics in university campus can tackle divergent perspectives, conflicting views and diverse positions in reasoned discourse. Nine Saudi EFL students at KKU, Saudi Arabia constituted the participants of the study. Data was collected from one source: a public speaking test for assessing critical speaking skills. The findings revealed a positive significant impact of NCFs on developing critical speaking skills in social issues-based language contexts. The study includes insights into how to cultivate critical speakers , including the procedures and steps that could be incorporated in EFL university education program. (Published Abstract)