From the classroom to conversation: Everyday strategies to develop confidence and fluency in spoken English
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58594/rtest.v6i1.202Keywords:
Oral fluency, formulaic sequences, chunks, classroom routines, primary English teaching, communicative approachAbstract
Developing oral English in primary education continues to be a challenge in Spanish-speaking contexts, where English instruction often relies on grammar exercises and vocabulary memorization. This theoretical essay examines the role of formulaic sequences (chunks) and classroom routines as pedagogical strategies that support oral fluency in young learners of English as a foreign language. Based on a review of national and international research, I argue that the consistent integration of functional language in the classroom enables learners to communicate meaningfully while developing confidence in speaking. I also highlight those oral routines not only provide systematic practice of the language but also foster a communicative atmosphere that is accessible, natural, and low in anxiety. Finally, I present an educational proposal based on three types of routines: opening, transition, and closing, to strengthen oral interaction through everyday classroom practice. This approach has significant implications for primary education in Latin America, promoting equitable access to communicative English skills in resource-constrained settings.
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