Investigating the Major Challenges that Encountered EFL Learners in the Implementation of Intercultural-Oriented Task-Based Instruction on Improving Oral Skills at the College Level.

The main objective of this study was to investigate the major challenges encountered by EFL learners in the implementation of Intercultural Communication Oriented Task-Based Language Instruction in improving their oral skills at the college level. The researcher was employed a descriptive survey design by developing a questionnaire comprising 27 items and administered in EFL settings. All students in Jimma College were the population of the study, and data were collected from 28 students of the same department of English language as sample respondents. Then, the collected data was analysed using the quantitative method. The result of the study indicated that among others, lack of teachers’ readiness to implement cultural–oriented activities during oral skill practices; lack of experiences in designing intercultural oriented tasks; lack of commitment so as to practicing oral skills; implementing poor teaching methods; lack of evaluating oral performance through oral presentations and on the student's side, students’ lack of prior knowledge on such task, poor prior exposure to oral tasks, lack of basic English skills, fear of making mistakes, and poor vocabulary knowledge were critical challenges. Finally, a few recommendations point forwarded for educational planners and textbook writers, supervisors, and English language teachers