The present study aims at appraising the students ' performance in the English speaking skill. The work was motivated by the fast that, secondary shcool learners of English, though they have studied English language for some years they still lave problems when it is time to speak the language.

For that, the researcher intends to answer the following questions :

1 Are materials used to teach English language in general and English speaking skill in particular sufficient and appropriate ?

2. Do learners of English language show a positive attitude towards the language ?

3. To what extent are studients performing in the English speaking skill ?

Results have shown that, students' performance in the spoken form of English / language is still poor. The fact of putting much emphasis and time to some language skils and neglecting other skils in the teaching-learning process, is one annong other causes that make students lack performance in the spoken form of English language. In addition, inappropriateness of methods and techiques used to teach, students' attitudes towards the language and the lack of English speech community, constitute the main causes that make students lack performance in the English peaking skill.

Since there is the problem, some recommendations have been made. The latter have been addressed to various categories of people. They are addressed to the teachers of English language and to the curriculum designers. They are also addressed to the Governement, to the student and to the school administrations.