CHAPTER ІContext and purpose1.1. IntroductionSpeaking is the most challenging skill among English learners and in recent decades, the growing interest in different aspects of improving speaking ability has triggered a series of investigations and theoretical discussions that have shed light on improving this ability. Icebrekars will be used in this study to improve speaking ability in upper-intermediate adult EFL learners. Icebreaking means breaking the ice between students and using icebreakers to encourage students to all interact together.1.2. Problem StatementThe lack of adequate speaking activities to improve oral production in upper-intermediate adult EFL learners results in poor speaking performance. This project expects to find valuable information that will help overcome the problems that upper-intermediate adult EFL learners face when speaking the target language in class.1.3. Theoretical Framework The ability to speak is as crucial as any other language skill. Shumin (1997) states that learning to speak a foreign language requires much more than knowing its grammar and vocabulary. Students should acquire the skill through mutual interaction. However, it is difficult for EFL students to speak appropriate English in class due to the limited use of the language in their real life. Icebreakers are discussion questions or interaction activities used to help participants relax and ease the learning situation (Dover, 2004). The main goal of an icebreaker is to develop an environment that reduces anxiety and allows people to "break the ice" or get to know each other while having fun. Pillai (2007) mentions the purpose of the icebreaker...... middle of paper ......rum.3. To reduce the subject's anxiety during the conversation, the examiner was the student's teacher.1.8. Outline of the StudyThe first chapter provides a general introduction to the study. In this chapter, the purpose of the study, research questions, hypotheses and limitations of the study were discussed and key terms were defined. In chapter two, the researcher reviews the literature related to the theoretical and empirical background of the language, icebreakers and their effects and functions. Chapter three deals with methodological issues such as participants, data collection, procedures, research questions and hypotheses, etc. Chapter four deals with data analysis and discussion of results. In the final chapter we draw some conclusions from our analysis, discuss the final findings, and provide implications for further research.