Learning oral communication skills in a teacher professional development programme through open and distance learning in Tanzania

This paper explores the issues related to the learning of oral communication skills (OCS) in the English language through distance learning in an era where the information revolution is affecting the delivery and practice of language learning through open and distance learning (ODL). The study is modelled after Kurniasih’s study of language skills and learning (Kurniasih, 2011), and uses both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sample for the study comprises 102 participants (100 students and two tutors) from the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education programme, presented by the Open University of Tanzania. The data was collected through questionnaires and interviews. The findings indicate that the student teachers share positive perceptions of learning OCS through ODL, primarily because of the nature of ODL. The study can assist the development of teaching OCS in the English language.Proceedings of the 6th biennial International Conference on Distance Education and Teachers’ Training in Africa (DETA) held at the Mauritius Institute of Education, Réduit, Mauritius, 20-24 July 2015