Developing Oral Fluency of Second Language Learners: A Narrative Review

This paper provides a narrative review of studies conducted with a view of investigating the efficacy of techniques and methodologies used by teachers of English as a Second Language in order to develop oral fluency of learners in the classroom. The fluency building techniques investigated in this study were, the 4/3/2/ method, chunking, role- playing, shadowing, gallery walk and storytelling. Quasi-experimental research designs using control and experimental groups, pre-tests and post- tests to compare learners’ performances between two time points and across groups were the method used by researchers to statistically analyze and measure improvements in oral fluency in all the studies that were investigated.  The findings suggest that all six fluency building techniques can be successfully used to develop oral fluency of learners of a second or foreign language. The study concludes that a variety of well-planned fluency building activities introduced systematically, and supported by other equally important components of language along with consistent and targeted practice is key to developing oral fluency of learners.