Vom Einsatz Einer Kommunikation Slern Software Zur Optimierung Der Sprechfertigkeit Im Daf-unterricht in Kamerun

Abstract

This study aimed at analysing the inadequate oral competence among the learners of German as a Foreign Language in secondary and high schools in Cameroon, and proposes remedial measures in form of a learner software. Upon establishing a deficit in speaking exercises in the schoolbooks, I have chosen in this work to investigate the possibility of compensating this deficit and I have therefore suggested the use of a communication educational software. For the legitimation of this work I carried out an empirical study using questionnaires, which were filled by both students and German teachers in Cameroon to evaluate the student's speaking competence, the exercises' typology in the schoolbook in regard to the oral competence and the access of the students to technology for the use of the software. After an analysis of the didactic exigence and measures to enhance the speaking skills of the students, I designed and described a concept of a software for improving that deficiency in oral competence, and justified its didactic value. The research findings confirmed my hypothesis about the insufficiency of communicative exercises in the schoolbook and the limited opportunities for the students to communicate in the German language both in the classroom during the course as well as outside. The continuous exercise in authentic communication situations appears to be a very relevant prerequisite for the development of interaction strategies needed by foreign language learners to deal with their deficit in declarative knowledge. The use of the potential of ICT, Internet further offers the students that opportunity of expressing themselves regularly in real communication and in a friendly environment. The designed software's concept represents with its tools and potential an opportunity to improve the development of speaking competence in the German as a Foreign Language-course in Cameroon by offering them more communication opportunities, flexibility, and facilitate the necessary control by the language teacher. This concept will be developed later into a real software and tested in some Cameroonian secondary and high schools in a further study. Key words: oral competence, DaF-course, communication educational software, speaking skill.