The Link Between Argumentative Discourse and Spoken Fluency

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of the systematic instruction of argumentative discourse in assisting English as a second language (ESL) students of the University of Costa Rica (UCR) in developing spoken fluency at a B2 level in LM-1361, Communication and Pronunciation Techniques II. For this purpose, 21 former LM-1361 students were surveyed and 2 course instructors were interviewed. The findings of this study suggest that the instruction of argumentative discourse in LM-1361 through the use of class discussions, impromptu debates, and persuasive speeches has allowed a number of third-year ESL students to successfully overcome basic spoken fluency issues such as limited vocabulary, double utterances, and blank mind.