Taking a more active role in the classroom through oral presentations

This paper illustrates the results of a study aimed at investigating EFL students’ attitudes towards group work. The data were collected through the administration of a questionnaire to 125 participants attending a Business English for Academic Purposes course at the University of Calabria, Italy. In particular, the survey aimed at verifying the usefulness of group work and task-based activities (oral presentations) in large mixed ability groups, the reasons for possible reticence towards working in groups, and the extent to which participants found preparing and delivering oral presentations effective in improving their language skills. Results indicate that LSP oral presentations are beneficial to students for both their study and work needs since they replicate real-life tasks. Moreover, working in groups can help students improve their language competence, overcome their reluctance to actively participate in class and enhance their study as well as social skills.