Post-Pandemic Innovations in EFL Oral Communication: Bridging Challenges and Opportunities Through Actionable Strategies

This paper investigates the experiences of 54 Japanese EFL university students in online oral communication courses during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting both benefits and challenges. Positive results included improved confidence, fluency, and listening abilities; limitations such as limited participation and fewer speaking chances were highlighted. The results underline the importance of a student-centered curriculum that balances speaking and listening abilities, stimulates motivation, and offers a conducive learning environment. The study recommends including role-plays, real-life communication assignments, and hybrid learning models combining online and in-person formats to handle these challenges. Strategies for skill-building including goal setting, formative feedback, and methodical techniques, improve involvement and speaking ability. Using lessons from the pandemic, this study highlights practical improvements in curriculum design. Through hands-on, real-world activities and group projects, it promotes flexible, inclusive, and participatory teaching strategies, therefore preparing students for global communication issues.