A Correlational Study on Communicative Teaching Methods and Students' Oral Performance in Portuguese Language Classes in Timor-Leste Schools

Abstract

A communication teaching method in the Portuguese language class is vital for improving students' oral performance in Timor-Leste schools. This research aimed to understand the relationship between communicative methods and students' oral performance in Portuguese through interactive activities such as dialogue, debate, and other communicative tasks. This study used a quantitative research methodology with a correlational design. The collection of data was conducted using a questionnaire, and these data were analysed using the correlational analysis method. The population of this study consists of 490 students from 7th to 9th grade. Based on the random sampling technique used, Yusuf's formula, which was taking 170 students representing the Portuguese school and the junior High school of Tirilolo, Baucau. The results show that the communicative teaching methods that Portuguese teachers used in the class have a strong correlation with the students' oral performance. Therefore, the results of Pearson's correlation analysis showed a sufficient relationship (r = 0.593; p < 0.05) between teachers’ communicative teaching methods and students' oral performance. The hypothesis confirms that the communicative method has a sufficient level of relationship with students' oral performance in the Portuguese language learning process. This research contributes significantly to improving the quality of communicative methods and increasing confidence for the development of learning and the use of the Portuguese language in learning processes.