This article is devoted to the development of speaking skills in teaching English as a foreign language. It examines the nature and components of speaking competence, the principal difficulties that learners and teachers encounter, and the methods and strategies that prove most effective in overcoming them. Particular attention is given to communicative and task-based activities, the use of technology, and the assessment of oral performance. The findings indicate that a systematic, communication-oriented approach, combined with a supportive classroom atmosphere and meaningful feedback, significantly improves learners' fluency, accuracy, and confidence in speaking. Practical recommendations adapted to the educational environment of Uzbekistan are proposed.