Efficacy of Communication Skills Teaching Methods and Learning Strategies: Enhancing Tertiary Students ' Communicative Competence in Tanzania

Abstract

This study evaluates the efficacy of the methods and strategies used inCommunication Skills (CS) course teaching and learning in Tanzania.Specifically, it identifies the methods and strategies used, and examinesthe appropriateness of the same in upgrading students ' CS. The studyinvolved 596 respondents, and data were collected throughquestionnaires, interviews, and group discussions. It is indicated thatinstructors use varied methods, but questions and answers, webbrowsing, and library research are perceived the most appropriate.Besides, students also use multiple strategies but group discussions, webbrowsing, and listening to English conversations are considered the mostappropriate. Therefore, instructors are urged to spend some time duringstudents ' entry to university to study the incoming students, particularlyon how they learn/ behave during the learning process, to accommodatethe students ' learning differences, difficulties, and preferences whenselecting teaching methods. Also, establishing a strict filteringmechanism as an option to improve students ' CS, proposed byRugemalira (2017), is a good proposal. However, currently, it can resultin filtering all applicants because many have low language proficiency.Instead, what we need to do meanwhile, is stressing on formalising theuse of modern mobile technologies in the teaching since have beenrevealed to be appropriate.