This thesis explores the opportunities for developing and assessing learners’ EFL oral skills in pre-vocational classrooms in the Netherlands. The thesis contains four studies. First, we evaluate the oral interaction practice offered in EFL coursebooks. In the second study, we explore ways to assess …

The Dutch overestimate their English speaking skills. Their pronunciation is not always convincing and certain pronunciation mistakes are easily recognised as being typical for Dutch speakers of English. Although intelligibility cannot exist without adequate pronunciation, teaching English pronunciation …

Teaching pronunciation seems to be one of the trickiest parts of teaching a language. How do we teach pronunciation? How can we correct students’ pronunciation if it is not correct? One method of doing this is using explicit phonological feedback, meaning correcting students on the spot and in an explicit …

The importance of a near-native accent. This talk will discuss whether or not it is important for EFL-teachers to try and achieve a near-native generally accepted accent for their students. The focus will be on the credibility of non-native speakers of English while speaking English in a globalising …

Over the past few years modern media have become embedded in our daily lives and consequently modern teachers are gradually finding their way into the classroom. The question is how teachers can use these technologies in an effective and meaningful manner so that it will complement the lesson plan. This …

The human memory has an associative nature. Association and mental visualization combine skills and structures of the left and right brain halves. It is easier to remember pictures, photographs or drawings than words or sentences. In fact, it usually takes a lot of effort to remember words and sentences …