Exploring the Efficacy of Audio-lingual Method for Adults' English Language Speaking Proficiency: A Case from a University in Sri Lanka

There has been an increase in the number of English language learners in Sri Lanka and so do the diverse teaching methodologies: the Grammar Translation Method, the Audiolingual method, Total Physical Response, and Communicative Language Teaching have been used for this purpose, as per the individual teacher's discretion or as prescribed by the authorities or as presented in the curricula since the 1950s. Despite the plethora of studies related to teaching methodologies worldwide, the efficacy of learning, specific to the socio-cultural background has gained inadequate attention in the scholarship, in spite of the significance of learners' socio-cultural background for learning processes. This claim is especially valid both in terms of Sri Lankan adult learners and in terms of speaking skills in the English language. Therefore, this exploratory study aimed to unearth the efficacy of English language speaking proficiency in relation to the audio-lingual method. The present study reports the findings of a quantitative study of undergraduates from a state university in Sri Lanka. The paper argues that the findings may be related in part to intrinsic linguistic features of Sri Lankan adult learners, in particular. The paper, therefore, is structured as follows; first, as a preamble, it briefly examines English language education in the country. Secondly, it offers a brief introduction to the Audio-Lingual Method. Then, the theoretical framework related to the Audio-lingual method will be reviewed. Next, a critical analysis of the Audio-lingual method is presented before delving into the methodology used. Before the end, the findings are discussed along with the implications.