Approaches, methods and strategies to develop productive skills: an analysis of EFL contexts

Abstract

The present research synthesis focuses on the discovery of the most effective method or approach to teach English productive skills and how these methods contribute to the development of these productive skills. Fifteen studies, using different approaches and methods and developed at different settings and levels of formal education, were gathered. These studies were analyzed, compared, and contrasted taking into consideration the different approaches and methods used in them. With this analysis, it was possible to find a more precise idea about the positive results of each approach or method, and the reasons why a certain approach was more effective than the other. The criteria to select the studies was that they had to be empirical, and also, they had to be recently published. After the analysis, it can be concluded that it is impossible to find an approach or method that could be considered the most effective regarding productive skills teaching, consequently, the adaptation of these approaches and methods according to learners' context could be a possible solution. Further research about the new technology tools and how these can enhance these methods and approaches to teach productive skills is suggested.