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English Speaking Skills of Graduate Students in a Public University in Thailand: Problems and Solutions

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English Speaking Skills of Graduate Students in a Public University in Thailand: Problems and Solutions ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS OF GRADUATE STUDENTS IN A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN THAILAND: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS BY MISS THANYATORN PARNROCH AN INDEPENDENT STUDY PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN CAREER ENGLISH FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION LANGUAGE INSTITUTE THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC YEAR 2018 COPYRIGHT OF THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY Ref. code: 25615921040548FWN ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS OF GRADUATE STUDENTS IN A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN THAILAND: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS BY MISS THANYATORN PARNROCH AN INDEPENDENT STUDY PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENTS OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN CAREER ENGLISH FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION LANGUAGE INSTITUTE THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC YEAR 2018 COPYRIGHT OF THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY Ref. code: 25615921040548FWN i Independent Study Paper Title ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS OF GRADUATE STUDENTS IN A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN THAILAND: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS Author Miss Thanyatorn Parnroch Degree Master of Arts Major Field/Faculty/University Career English for International Communication Language Institute Thammasat University Independent Study Paper Advisor Associate Professor Nopporn Sarobol Academic Year 2018 ABSTRACT This research study focused on problems in speaking English in the classroom among graduate students in a public university in Thailand. The ways of solving problems in speaking English are also discussed in this study. The objectives of this study are to investigate problems and explore the ways of solving problems in speaking English in the classroom. A total of 33 graduate students who studied in one of the public universities in the Master Degree Program in Career English for International Communication participated in the study. Data were collected by using questionnaires and analyzed statistically with SPSS program. The findings revealed that most graduate students encountered the limited vocabulary and had pressure during their presentation. In terms of the ways to solve their problems, they used dictionary online and tried to increase their self-confidence and reduce stress by taking deep breath and concentrating more before their presentation. The findings of this study will be useful and beneficial for the teachers to get support the students to have more confidence in speaking English. Keywords: English speaking skills, problems, ways of solving problems, graduate students Ref. code: 25615921040548FWN ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my deepest appreciation to those who supported me to accomplish this independent study. First of all, I would like to thank Associate Professor Nopporn Sarobol, my advisor, who always supports me for valuable guidance and suggestions on this research. Secondly, I would like to thank my classmates who studies in the second academic year at Language Institute, Thammasat University for giving me the data in this study. This research would not have been completed without their assistance. Thirdly, I would like to express my appreciation to my parents and all of the instructors at the Language Institute, Thammasat University who have encouraged me to complete the success. Then, I would like to express my appreciation to Ashley Backhouse, English language lecturer at Srinakharinwirot University Prasarnmit Campus who helped me edit some parts of the study. In addition, I would like to thank Mark Zentz, English language lecturer at Language Institute, Thammasat University who supported me to edit chapter one to five of this study. Lastly, for those persons who have not been refered, I would also like to say “thank you” for all of their support and guidance to me to accomplish this independent study and everything. Miss Thanyatorn Parnroch Ref. code: 25615921040548FWN iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 2 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background of the study 1 1.2 Statement of the problems 2 1.3 Research questions 2 1.4 Objectives of the study 2 1.5 Definition of terms 3 1.6 Scope of the study 3 1.7 The significance of the study 3 1.8 The organization of the study 3 CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 5 2.1 The importance of speaking skills 5 2.2 Problems in English speaking 7 2.3 Ways of solving problems in speaking English 12 2.4 Relevant studies 15 2.5 Summary of the study 17 CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 18 3.1 Subjects 18 3.2 Research instruments 18 Ref. code: 25615921040548FWN iv 3.3 Research Procedures 19 3.3.1 Research Design 19 3.3.2 Data Collection 19 3.3.3 Data Analysis 20 CHAPTER 4 RESULTS 21 4.1 Personal information of the participants 21 4.2 English speaking problems of the participants 24 when using English in classroom 4.3 Ways of solving problems of the participants 28 when using English in classroom 4.4 Additional opinions about the problems and ways of 32 solving problems in speaking English CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION, DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 34 5.1 Summary of the study 34 5.2 Summary of the findings 35 5.3 Discussion 39 5.4 Conclusion 40 5.5 Recommendations for further research 41 REFERENCES 42 APPENDICES 48 APPENDIX A 49 APPENDIX B 56 BIOGRAPHY 63 Ref. code: 25615921040548FWN 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Nowadays, many people widely speak English as the standard language for the business and educational purposes to associate with others who speak English and achieve their own goals of conversation. According to Zaremba (2006), speaking skill seems to be the most important skill among the four English skills required for communication. However, this skill needs to be improved for higher performance because the development of speaking performance could create a number of benefits for both speakers and business organization. In addition, the persons who have good command of spoken English are likely to be successful in second language acquisition and career advancement. Zaremba (2006) also indicates that many organizations usually consider promote a group of people who have good and effective speaking performance and presentation from their motivation, work experience and credibility towards the organization because if they have good levels of speaking proficiency, they are likely to be promoted to higher positions. Most non-native English speakers have studied English language since a young age. However, there are some problems in speaking English in the classroom in terms of, the aspects of language proficiency, few opportunities to speak English, the different levels of English language proficiency and lack of grammar comprehension. Moreover, learner aspects such as anxiety and fear of mistakes are further obstacles to success. However, the solutions for solving those problems have been proposed in several previous studies. For example, teachers can provide students with a supportive environment in the EFL classroom and speak English with students to enhance their speaking abilities, which can improve their motivation to learn (Zehler, 1994). Ref. code: 25615921040548FWN 2 1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Even though the graduate students in the master‟s degree program in a public university in Thailand study in an English program, they often encounter difficulties in speaking English in the classroom. Although students study English courses with both native and non-native instructors, they usually speak in Thai language with classmates rather than English and some struggle to have discussions and give presentations in English in the classroom. Some of them lack self-confidence and the courage to speak English with instructors, resulting from, fear of making mistakes. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to analyze these problems and explore the ways the graduate students use to solve them. 1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 1.3.1 What are the problems that the graduate students encounter when speaking English language in the classroom? 1.3.2 What are the solutions for the problems that the students encounter when speaking English language in the classroom? 1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 1.4.1 To investigate the problems that the graduate students encounter when speaking English language in the classroom. 1.4.2 To find out the solutions for the problems that the students encounter when speaking English language in the classroom. 1.5 DEFINITION OF TERMS 1.5.1 Speaking skills refer to a process of communication, in which people speak to exchange their ideas or thoughts, or give some information to the listener (Chaney, 1998). In this study, speaking skill refers to a conversation in English between students and the instructors in the classroom. 1.5.2 Graduate students refer to master‟s degree students at one public university in Thailand. Ref. code: 25615921040548FWN 3 1.5.3 In this study, problems refer to the difficulties that graduate students encounter when speaking English in the classroom. 1.5.4 Solutions refer to the methods of solving the problems for more effective results. In this study, it refers to the ways to solve the problems, including communication strategies that students apply to speak in the classroom. 1.5.5 A public university refers to a university that it is publicly owned by the national government. 1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY The study is limited to the participants of thirty-three graduate students who were studying in an English program. They were both English and non-English majors pursuing a bachelor‟s of degree. 1.7 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY Speaking skill is one important aspect that people need to practice. The problems and solutions of speaking skill are presented in this study. The findings of the study will be useful and beneficial for the students in terms of improving their English speaking skill and raising awareness about the importance of speaking English. In addition, this research may be used as a guideline by other researchers in the future. 1.8 THE ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY The organization of the study includes five sections as follows: The first chapter explains the background of the study, statements of the research questions, objectives of the study, definition of terms, scope on the study, the significance and the organization of the study.
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