The present study was presented with a view to finding out the reality of English oral communication skills of fourth-year students in the Faculty of English in at Thuongmai University..
OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
Rationale
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Previous studies
1.2.1 The overview of domestic research
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Existing research primarily focuses on specific student groups, such as those at individual universities, with little attention given to Thuongmai University students, particularly senior English majors The challenges faced by different student groups vary significantly; for instance, English majors at Thuongmai University concentrate on business-related knowledge, which influences their particular difficulties and learning experiences.
This study aims to assess the actual state of English oral communication skills among senior students at the English Faculty of Thuongmai University Prior research has primarily focused on English communication in general; however, this investigation specifically targets the oral proficiency of students at the university level By identifying current strengths and challenges, the study seeks to provide valuable insights that can enhance English language education and improve students’ communicative competence.
1.2.2 The overview of global research
Numerous studies highlight the challenges faced by English learners worldwide, with Abu Alyan's 2013 research focusing on Palestinian university students This qualitative study identified key issues such as incorrect pronunciation, limited vocabulary, and lack of exposure to the target language, which hinder students’ ability to organize ideas coherently It emphasizes the importance of implementing advanced teaching techniques and strategies that encourage learner participation in class discussions and interactions Incorporating authentic materials, such as real-life scenarios through multimedia tools like iPads and iPhones, can enhance listening and speaking skills Students can also create and present e-portfolios, fostering practical language use Additionally, integrating oral communication activities like debates and discussions across all courses, and incorporating them into assessment methods, can significantly maximize practice opportunities and improve overall language proficiency.
Another study is “Oral English Communication Difficulties and Coping
Norafini Zulkurnain's 2015 study on "Strategies of Diploma of Hotel Management Students at UiTM" investigates the oral communication challenges faced by ESL students at the diploma level The research highlights the various difficulties students encounter during oral communication activities and explores the strategies they employ to overcome these challenges Data collected through the Oral Communication Strategies Inventory questionnaire, distributed to 100 Hotel Management diploma students in Penang, revealed key insights into students’ coping mechanisms Additionally, interviews with 16 students and journal writing activities provided deeper understanding of the specific communication barriers and effective strategies used by students in real classroom contexts.
The study revealed that learners' main challenge in English communication stems from their lack of language proficiency Despite these difficulties, students show a strong interest in engaging in oral communication activities and often negotiate meaning with their interlocutors to understand and convey messages effectively These findings highlight the need for teachers to develop more creative, interactive learning experiences and integrate coping strategies into their instruction, enhancing students' oral communication skills and confidence.
This study aims to explore the real situations of English oral communication among senior students at the Faculty of English, Thuongmai University While previous research primarily focused on identifying the challenges students face in English oral communication classes, this study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of students' actual experiences in this area Understanding these real-life communication situations can help develop more effective teaching strategies to enhance students' speaking skills.
Aims of the study
This study aims to investigate the current level of English oral communication skills among final-year students at the English Faculty of Thuongmai University It seeks to identify existing challenges and factors affecting students' ability to communicate effectively in English Additionally, the research offers practical solutions to enhance students' interest in learning English and improve their oral communication skills The findings will provide valuable insights for teachers and students to develop more effective language learning strategies Ultimately, the study contributes to strengthening English proficiency among students, better preparing them for future professional communication.
Research subjects and objects
This study focuses on 100 senior students at Thuongmai University’s Faculty of English, who have nearly four years of English language education, resulting in strong skills in written communication, particularly in reading and writing The research aims to provide insights into these students' proficiency levels and learning experiences Additionally, the study seeks to offer a broader perspective on language skills among students across different colleges and universities, contributing to a better understanding of English proficiency in higher education.
The research objects are the reality and solutions in oral communication in the English of the fourth-year students in Faculty of English at Thuongmai University.
Scope of the study
In general, English basically includes two ways of communication which are oral and written communication Oral communication combines listening and
Effective communication skills encompass both speaking and written abilities, including writing and reading These skills are closely interconnected, influencing each other significantly This study specifically investigates the English oral communication skills of final-year students at the Faculty of English, Thuongmai University, aiming to identify the main challenges they face in speaking English By pinpointing these obstacles, the research provides practical solutions to enhance students' oral communication proficiency Additionally, the study expresses an interest in exploring written communication skills among English-major students to offer a comprehensive understanding of their language development.
Research methodology
This study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the reality of English oral communication among final-year students at Thuongmai University Employing quantitative research methods, the study collected and analyzed data to assess students' proficiency and challenges in English speaking skills The findings offer valuable insights into the current status of English oral communication, highlighting areas for potential improvement and supporting the development of targeted language education strategies.
This study utilized a quantitative research approach, employing a carefully designed questionnaire distributed to 100 senior students at the Faculty of English, Thuongmai University The questionnaire consisted of four main sections: the first collected demographic information, the second explored students’ attitudes and perceptions towards learning and using English oral communication, the third asked students to evaluate various factors affecting their English speaking skills, and the final section identified challenges faced in spoken English and sought students’ suggestions for improvement.
Organization of the study
The study consists of four chapters:
Chapter 1: Overview of the study
This chapter offers an overview of the research, highlighting the key reasons behind the selection of the study topic It includes a comprehensive review and analysis of previous studies related to this field, encompassing both domestic and international research efforts.
Gaining a comprehensive view of existing research helps identify strengths and weaknesses in each study, making it easier to pinpoint research gaps Chapter 1 outlines the research subjects, methodology, aims, scope, and organization of the study, providing a clear framework for the entire research process.
This chapter provides the theoretical background for the study which are the definition of keywords, research questions, research hypothesis or the importance of English oral communication skills
Chapter 3 aims to analyze all the information collected by quantitative method
This study examines the English oral communication skills of fourth-year students at the Faculty of English, Thuongmai University It provides a detailed analysis and insightful discussions to reveal the students' current proficiency levels and challenges The findings offer valuable insights into their oral communication abilities, contributing to the improvement of language education strategies at the university.
This chapter presents effective solutions to enhance English oral communication skills, grounded in the findings from Chapter 3 It also discusses the study’s limitations and offers recommendations for future research to further improve English speaking proficiency.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Definitions
Effective communication, as defined by Lynch (1996), involves enabling others to understand our message, which is the core purpose of any interaction Key elements in a communication process include the speaker or sender, the message being conveyed, and the listener or receiver Understanding these fundamental components is essential for successful dialogue and information exchange.
According to Qutbi Alam (2013:19), “Communication is exchange of ideas between people either orally or in writing”
Communication is a social interaction process that involves both verbal and non-verbal elements, with intentionality in transmitting messages It can influence people's behavior, whether intentionally or unintentionally, within the scope of the message being conveyed.
According to Robert Andesion (2004) “Communication is interchange of thoughts, opinions or information by speech, writing or signs”
Communication is a fundamental process involving the transfer of information and understanding between two or more individuals It can be simply defined as the act of sending and receiving messages, serving as a means to facilitate effective interaction Various authors offer different definitions of communication, but at its core, it ensures that messages are conveyed clearly and understood, making it essential for human connection and collaboration.
According to Ricky W Griffin (1998) “Oral communication takes place in face- to-face conversations, group discussions, telephone calls and other circumstances in which spoken word is used to express meaning”
According to S.K Kapur (2009) “oral communication takes place when spoken words are used to transfer information and understanding from on person to another”
According to Clark and Schaefer (1992), oral communication involves speakers and listeners collaborating through conversation to derive meaning The grounding process is essential, as it allows both parties to negotiate and clarify understanding, ensuring mutual comprehension They emphasize that effective communication relies on this dynamic interaction, where speakers do not simply convey information but actively work with listeners to establish shared meaning.
8 only contribute utterances to a conversation but the speaker also invites the listener to participate in the conversation by listening, registering and understanding the speaker’s utterances (Clark & Brennan 1991)
Conversation consists of two main phases: the Presentation phase, where the speaker delivers utterances with the expectation that the listener will understand them, and the Response phase, where the listener reacts and provides feedback, ensuring effective communication.
Acceptance phase is the phase where the listener accepts the speake’s utterances by giving evidence (show response) that the listener has understood the utterances (Clark
Mutual understanding between speaker and listener is achieved when the acceptance phase is completed (Clark & Brennan, 1991; Schaefer, 1992) The speaker often requests a response from the listener to confirm comprehension, allowing them to assess whether the message has been understood correctly Based on the listener's response, the speaker can determine if any repairs or clarifications are necessary to ensure effective communication.
Oral communication is the process of exchanging messages or information between a sender and receiver through spoken words As a word-based communication system in oral form, it plays a vital role in everyday interactions Most of our daily conversations rely on oral communication to effectively convey ideas and information.
The process of oral communication
Effective oral communication involves a sender and a receiver, regardless of the number of participants, as communication can occur from an individual to an unlimited audience The sender is responsible for transmitting the message by encoding it, while the receiver decodes the message to understand the intended meaning Ensuring that the message is correctly encoded and understood is essential for clear communication, so that what the receiver interprets matches the sender's original intent.
Noise can disrupt effective oral communication, which involves seven key elements: the Source (or speaker) who originates the information, and the Message, the encoded information shared between speaker and listener The Transmitter acts as the medium that transmits the code, enabling the Receiver to decode and understand the message.
Effective communication involves a message, which can be expressed through sounds produced by the mouth and received by the ear Signals encompass various mediums such as pictures, sounds, and body gestures that convey meaning The channel refers to the medium through which these signals travel, including air, radio waves, the internet, and other transmission methods Noise represents unwanted or secondary signals that interfere with the clarity of the message, potentially causing confusion between the sender and receiver and hindering effective understanding.
In oral communication, the primary receivers of information are the ears and eyes, with ears capturing sound and eyes interpreting gestures and mouth movements This universal process of receiving and understanding spoken messages remains consistent across all countries and cultures, making oral communication a globally similar experience.
Figure 1: The process of oral communication
Factors affecting oral communication
Listening comprehension involves understanding spoken language, including speech sounds, word meanings, and sentence syntax (Nadig, 2013) It is the ability to grasp and interpret spoken information, as emphasized by Hamouda (2013), who states it refers to understanding heard content, even if the listener initially repeats sounds without full comprehension Additionally, O'Malley, Chamot, and Kupper (1989) describe listening comprehension as an active process where learners construct meaning by using contextual cues Effective listening skills are essential for language development and communication.
10 information and from existing knowledge, while relying upon numerous strategic resources to perform the task requirement
Listening comprehension, as outlined by Chastain (1988), involves four key components essential for effective language understanding The first component is the ability to differentiate sounds, intonation patterns, and voice qualities in a second language and distinguish them from native language sounds The second component emphasizes understanding the entire message conveyed by a speaker According to Rivers (1981), comprehension of spoken messages depends on grasping the semantic meaning, progressing from decoding sound sequences to understanding syntax when the meaning is unclear.
To enhance learners' auditory memory, teachers should provide maximum exposure to the target language during class, ensuring most activities are conducted in that language Adjusting the speed and difficulty of content to match learners' abilities promotes effective processing and retention Using comprehensible language activities supports auditory memory development, and gradual progression from simple to complex sentences facilitates continuous improvement Increasing the delivery speed should be based on learners' understanding, ensuring consistent progress in acquiring language skills (Chastain, 1988).
Comprehension involves understanding speech at syntactic, lexical, pragmatic, and discourse levels, progressing through essential steps The first step is establishing the context, which provides the communicative framework necessary for the listener to interpret the speaker's message accurately Next, activating relevant background knowledge helps predict potential ideas within the message, enhancing understanding Skilled listeners anticipate the general content by looking ahead and checking incoming information, rather than reacting impulsively to unexpected details (Kaspar, 1984) The final step is sampling the key meaning-bearing components of the material to fully grasp the message's intent.
Listeners need to expend more cognitive effort to understand unfamiliar topics and rely heavily on linguistic clues to compensate for their lack of background knowledge They use sample information to confirm or reject their initial expectations; if the samples align with their anticipations, they accept them as correct Conversely, when samples contradict their expectations, listeners must re-evaluate either their anticipations or the material itself to ensure the message remains meaningful (Kaspar, 1984).
Listening comprehension is a crucial first step in effective oral communication Improving one's ability to understand spoken messages enhances overall communication skills If listeners fail to grasp the speaker's message, their ability to provide meaningful feedback is compromised Strong listening skills enable individuals to decode messages accurately, leading to more effective and meaningful conversations.
According to Devon Delfino (2019), grammar is defined as a system of rules that enable us to structure sentences effectively It encompasses various aspects of the English language, ensuring clarity and proper communication Mastering grammar is essential for expressing ideas accurately and enhancing language proficiency.
Parts of speech (verbs, adjectives, nouns, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, modifiers, etc.)
Punctuation (like commas, semicolons, and periods — when applied to usage)
Mechanics of language (like word order, semantics, and sentence structure)
Effective oral communication primarily relies on dialogue, as it allows both speakers and listeners to clarify and repeat messages until understanding is achieved While grammar is valuable in ensuring consistent language use and reducing misunderstandings, a limited grasp of grammar does not usually hinder effective communication between individuals Overall, bilateral processes like dialogue facilitate clear communication even when grammatical accuracy is not perfect.
Vocabulary encompasses all the words in a language, including single words and multi-word phrases or chunks that convey specific meanings It involves both individual lexical items with distinct definitions and common phrases or expressions that function as meaningful units Building a strong vocabulary is essential for effective communication, as it enables individuals to understand and use words and phrases accurately in various contexts Learning vocabulary systematically enhances language proficiency and supports better comprehension and expression.
Vocabulary is central to English language teaching because without sufficient vocabulary students cannot understand others or express their own ideas Wilkins
(1972) wrote that “while without grammar very little can be conveyed, without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed” (page 111–112)
Words are essential in oral communication, as using the right word in the right place ensures the message is conveyed accurately A strong vocabulary is crucial for effective expression and clear idea-sharing Without proper grammar, little can be communicated, and without sufficient vocabulary, meaningful communication becomes impossible.
Pronunciation is the way we produce the sounds of words, involving the flow of air from our lungs through our throat, vocal cords, mouth, tongue, and out between our teeth and lips Sometimes, air also passes through the nose during speech, adding to the clarity and tone of our words Understanding pronunciation is essential for effective communication and language learning.
To improve your pronunciation, focus on controlling the muscles of your mouth, tongue, and lips to shape your mouth and regulate airflow effectively Properly managing the mouth shape and airflow enhances clarity, making your speech easier for others to understand.
Different language speakers develop unique mouth muscles tailored for pronunciation When learning a foreign language, these muscles may be underdeveloped, making pronunciation challenging Regular practice helps strengthen these muscles, leading to improved pronunciation skills.
As well as creating correct vowel and consonant sounds using the muscles of our mouth, tongue and lips, there are other important aspects of pronunciation, including:
word stress - emphasis on certain syllables in a word
sentence stress - emphasis on certain words in a sentence
linking - joining certain words together
intonation - the rise and fall of our voice as we speak
Pronunciation is essential for producing clear and intelligible speech, enabling effective communication It involves phonological processes that form a fundamental part of language, encompassing the elements and principles of pronunciation Adequate pronunciation skills are crucial for learners, as poor pronunciation can significantly hinder their ability to communicate confidently Improving pronunciation enhances overall language proficiency and ensures clearer, more effective interactions.
Fluency is commonly defined as the ability to speak or read quickly, accurately, and with minimal hesitation Achieving fluency involves the automatic execution of key language skills such as pronunciation, grammatical processing, and word recognition According to Skehan, these automatic processes are essential for promoting overall fluency in language performance.
The principles of oral communication
According to Chetan Kumar Nath (2009), The principles of oral communication are discussed as below:
Clear pronunciation : Clear pronunciation of message sender in the main factor or oral communication If it is not clear, the goal of the message may not be achieved
Preparation : Before communicating orally the speaker should take preparation both physically are mental
Unity and integration : The unity and integration of the speech of the message sender is a must for successful oral communication
Precision : Precision is needed to make oral communication effective The meaning of the words must be specific
Natural voice : The speakers must not fluctuate at the time of oral communication On the other hand, the artificial voice must be avoided
Planning: Organized plan is a must for effective oral communication The speaker should take a proper plan for delivering a speech
Simplicity : The speaker should use simple understandable words in oral communication It should be easy and simple
Legality : The speaker’s speech should be legal and logical at the time of oral communication
During oral discussions, it is important for speakers to remain emotionless, as excessive emotions can distract from the main subject and hinder effective communication Maintaining an impartial and composed demeanor helps ensure that the focus stays on the key message, improving clarity and professionalism during the conversation.
Acting : Many people lose concentration after listening for a few minutes So speech must be emotionless
Efficiency : Speaker’s efficiency and skill is necessary for effective oral communication
Vocabulary : Words bear different meanings to different people in different situations In oral communication, a speaker should use the most familiar words
16 to the receiver of the message to avoid any confusion in the meaning of the words.
The importance of oral communication
Oral communication skills comprise listening and speaking skills (Ogunsiji,
Listening and speaking are the most essential language skills, as they are the primary channels through which most people encounter and interpret messages (Johnstone and Milne, 1995) Listening accounts for approximately 50% of communication time, while speaking comprises around 30%, highlighting the importance of oral communication in daily interactions Reading and writing represent about 11% and 9% of communication, respectively (Gilakjani and Ahmadi, 2011) Effective communication requires both the ability to produce well-articulated speech and to actively listen, with oral communication making up roughly 80% of our everyday interactions Without strong oral skills, delivering and receiving messages quickly and effectively becomes significantly challenging.
Our English teaching and learning programs primarily focus on developing written communication skills, including reading and writing proficiency While oral communication lessons are incorporated into the school curriculum, their presence is limited, emphasizing the importance of strengthening students' written language abilities for comprehensive language mastery.
Figure 2: The importance of oral communication (Gilakjani and
Many students possess strong reading and writing skills; however, their oral communication abilities often fall short of societal demands Despite this, 17 lessons and activities can be implemented to enhance their spoken English skills Improving oral communication is essential for students to effectively engage in real-world interactions, highlighting the importance of targeted activities designed to bridge this gap Incorporating these lessons can help students meet the communication standards required in professional and social settings.
RESEARCH FINDINGS
Participants and Samples
To conduct the research, a specific group of participants, known as the study population, was required Initially, the study selected 15 fourth-year English Faculty students at Thuongmai University to pilot test the research instruments These participants completed a questionnaire and provided valuable feedback, which helped refine and improve the effectiveness of the research tools.
After testing the effectiveness of instruments, the study was done in a larger scope which includes 100 students who are final-year students in Faculty of English at Thuongmai University.
Research methodology
This study primarily employed a quantitative research methodology to systematically collect and analyze data Data collection was conducted using a specially designed questionnaire created by the researcher, ensuring targeted and accurate insights for the study.
Research Instruments
The study uses a questionnaire to collect data to find out the real situation of English oral communication of seniors in Faculty of English at Thuongmai University
This questionnaire is designed to assess the current state of students' English oral communication skills, focusing on their attitudes, feelings during practice, encountered difficulties, and preferred learning methods By collecting this data, the researcher aims to identify key challenges and insights to recommend effective solutions The survey comprises 17 questions divided into four sections, providing a comprehensive understanding of students' experiences with English oral communication.
Section 1: The questions in this section focus on collecting personal information of students such as age, gender, how many years students have been learning English
Section 2: These questions concern students’ English learning habits, how many hours they spend on practicing English oral communication and their attitude, their feelings towards this skill
Section 3: Section 3 pays attention to finding out how each factor affects English oral communication These factors are vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, listening comprehension, oral fluency, interaction
Section 4: The questions in this section play a role in understanding the difficulties the students encountered, the reasons why and then asking them to suggest some useful ways to improve English oral communication skills.
Data collection
This part illustrates the process of collecting data and finding out the solutions for the current situation The process of collecting data includes the following steps:
Step 1: Building a questionnaire which is suitable for the final-year students in
Faculty of English at Thuongmai university
Step 2: Explaining the questionnaire to the students obviously to avoid misunderstandings
Step 3: Instructing the students to fill out the questionnaire
Step 4: Collecting the questionaire from students
Data analysis
After collecting the data, the next step is analyzing them The steps of analyzing the data are:
Step 1: Reading all the answers and detecting them
Step 2: Sorting out the results of questions
Step 3: Using Google form to get the proportions from tables or charts to find out the trend for the answer of questionnaire
Step 4: Drawing conclusion based on the data analysis
Research results
Figure 1 illustrates the gender distribution of participants, with 92% females and only 8% males The data shows that female students dominate the Faculty of English, reflecting the common trend of English majors being more popular among girls In contrast, males tend to prefer fields such as science, technology, or engineering.
The data indicates that most respondents have been learning English for more than 7 years, with 55% studying for over a decade Additionally, 38% have between 7 to 9 years of English learning experience Conversely, only 1% of students have studied English for 1 to 3 years, and 6% for 4 to 6 years This trend highlights that the majority of students have long-term engagement with English, likely driven by a passion for the language and its relevance to their academic and career goals.
Figure 4: Years of learning English
1-3 years 4-6 years 7-9 years More than 10 years
3.6.3 Students’ English oral communication level
Most students assess their English oral communication skills as a 7 out of 10, indicating moderate proficiency According to the data, 36% of students rate their English speaking ability at this level, demonstrating a generally positive self-perception Notably, no students have rated their oral communication skills as 1 or 2, suggesting a minimal number of individuals perceive their abilities at the very lowest levels This self-assessment highlights the overall confidence students have in their spoken English skills.
10 Besides, there is 19% of respondents who judge their English oral communication level as 6 which is equal to that of students who choose 9 as their English oral communication level Following that, 12% of participants mark their English oral level 5 while mark 9 is chosen by 9% of students On the other hand, there’s only 4% of students choose mark 4 and 1% of the total number choose mark 3 The author can draw that the English oral communication level of students who are seniors in Faculty of English at Thuongmai University isn’t really good nor bad Students still need to put more effort to improve their English oral communication skills
Figure 5: Students' English oral communication level
3.6.4 The difficulty level of English oral communication
The article highlights students' perceptions of the difficulty level of English oral communication, with 39% considering it hard and 34% viewing it as normal, indicating little difference between these groups Additionally, 19% find the skill extremely hard, while only 7% see it as easy and just 1% consider it extremely easy, reflecting widespread challenges in mastering oral communication The difficulty largely stems from the need to simultaneously develop multiple skills such as Listening, Speaking, and Soft Skills, which can be overwhelming without regular practice Consistent practice is essential for building confidence and improving proficiency in English oral communication.
Figure 6: The difficulty level of English oral communication
Extremely hard Hard Normal Easy Extremely easy
3.6.5 Students’ feelings towards English oral communication
The figure 7 shows the feelings of students towards English oral communication
According to the data, 53% of students feel comfortable when speaking English, indicating a positive trend in oral communication confidence However, 30% feel shy, which can hinder their ability to speak openly and improve their English speaking skills Additionally, 10% of students are confident in their oral English, while 7% feel extremely shy, highlighting varying levels of comfort among learners Notably, no students reported feeling extremely confident in practicing English speaking skills, suggesting an area for improvement in language education.
Figure 7: Students' feelings towards English oral communication
Extremely shy Shy Normal Confident Extremely confident
3.6.6 Time spent practicing English oral communication of students
A significant portion of students dedicate time daily to practicing English oral communication, with 40% spending between 30 minutes to 1 hour Meanwhile, 34% allocate less than 30 minutes, and only 10% practice for 1 to 2 hours, which is comparable to the 12% of students who do not practice at all Additionally, just 4% of students spend more than 2 hours practicing each day These findings highlight that consistent practice time is crucial for improving English communication skills, emphasizing the importance of daily practice in achieving fluency, as the saying “Practice makes perfect” suggests.
Figure 8: Time spent practicing English oral communication of students
Less than 30 minutes 30 minutes-1 hour 1hour-2hours More than 2 hours Do not practice
3.6.7 Learning methods that students use to practice English oral communication
Students employ diverse methods to enhance their English oral communication skills, with self-talk being the most popular, utilized by 79% of learners Shadowing and role-playing are equally favored, each adopted by 50% of students, indicating their effectiveness Additionally, 46% of respondents use English learning apps like Cambly, Elsaspeak, and Duolingo to practice speaking Communicating with native speakers is less common, with only 25% of students engaging in this practice, while 41% prefer participating in English classes to improve their oral skills.
Talking to yourself is an effective and cost-free method widely used by students at Thuongmai University’s English faculty, allowing learners to practice anytime without attending classes This approach provides flexibility and convenience, as it doesn’t require physical movement or financial investment However, a key drawback is the lack of interaction and reflection, since meaningful conversations typically need active participation from all parties In addition to self-talk, other useful methods like shadowing and role-playing also enhance language learning by promoting active engagement and practical communication skills.
Shadowing Role-playing Talking to yourself Using English learning apps
Taking part in English classes
Figure 9: Learning methods that students use to practice English oral communication
While methods like practicing with documents or role-playing can significantly improve English speaking skills, they often require more time compared to talking to oneself Role-playing especially demands at least one partner, which may not always be available Despite the time commitment, these techniques are effective in enhancing oral communication Interacting with native speakers is ideal for language improvement, but it remains challenging for most students due to limited access Although several mobile apps facilitate conversations with native speakers, they can be costly, making regular practice difficult for many learners.
3.6.8 Student’s habits when orally communicating in English
The data in Figure 10 highlights students' habits when speaking English orally Notably, 61% of students tend to carefully organize their sentences in their minds before speaking, indicating a cautious approach to communication Additionally, 52% of students translate from their mother tongue into English mentally before speaking, with 49% doing so after receiving messages, demonstrating reliance on translation during conversation Only 11% of students feel confident speaking English naturally like native speakers, reflecting limited spontaneous fluency Furthermore, 36% of students habitually write down what the speaker says to aid understanding, while 31% quickly and directly reflect on the conversation as they speak, showing varied strategies for oral communication in English.
Writing down what you tend to say
Translating mother-tongue into English in your head before saying
Translating mother-tongue into English in your head affter receiving messages
Arranging sentences in your head before saying
Having quick and direct reflection
Communicating naturally as native speakers
Figure 10: Student’s habits when orally communicating in English
Many participants in this research tend to organize sentences mentally before speaking, due to the significant differences between English and Vietnamese in grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary Translating words and sentences in their heads is a common communication habit among students Without regular practice, learners often face challenges such as forgetting words or pronunciation issues, which hinder their ability to communicate fluently and confidently, affecting their speaking speed and fluency.
3.6.9 Students’ agreement extent on Listening Comprehension affects English oral communication skill
This article highlights students’ perceptions of the impact of listening comprehension on English oral communication, emphasizing three key sub-factors Approximately 47% of students agree that differentiating sounds and intonation patterns between their mother tongue and English significantly influences communication, while 32% remain neutral on this point Additionally, 15% strongly agree that this aspect affects their English speaking skills, whereas only 6% disagree Overall, the data indicates a strong acknowledgment among students that mastering these listening skills is crucial for effective oral communication in English.
Differentiating all sounds, intonation patterns between mother-tongue and
Understanding the whole messages uttered by a speaker
Holding messages in memory until it can be processed
Figure 11: Students’ agreement exent on Listening Comprehension
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
Understanding the speaker's complete message is crucial for effective English oral communication, with 45% of respondents agreeing on its importance Approximately 25% hold opinions ranging from disagreement to strong agreement, highlighting varied perspectives on this factor Only 3% disagree and 1% strongly disagree, indicating that most recognize the significance of message comprehension Without understanding what is said, learners cannot effectively communicate in English, which can diminish their confidence and motivation Mastering the ability to grasp the entire message is essential for successful interaction and language proficiency.
Understanding messages is important, but processing and holding them in mind before responding is crucial for effective communication According to a recent study, 46% of students believe that the ability to retain messages impacts their English oral communication skills, with 32% remaining neutral and 18% strongly agreeing Only 4% of students disagree that holding messages until they are processed affects oral communication, and no one completely disagrees with this idea Memorizing and processing messages enables the receiver to provide appropriate feedback and facilitate meaningful interaction.
3.6.10 Students’ agreement extent on Grammar affects English oral communication skill
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
Summary of the findings
This study aims to thoroughly investigate the English oral communication skills of seniors at the Faculty of English, Thuongmai University, to identify effective solutions for improvement The research is structured into four chapters: the first chapter introduces the rationale, objectives, and an overview of existing studies; the second chapter reviews relevant theoretical background; the third chapter presents an in-depth analysis of collected data to reveal the current state of students' English communication abilities; finally, the study offers practical solutions to enhance students' speaking skills and overall communicative competence.
4 focuses on a summary of the whole study and give some pedagogical implications
In conclusion, although seniors at the Faculty of English at Thuongmai University have achieved a certain level of English proficiency after studying for over 10 years, they still encounter challenges in practicing spoken English These obstacles stem from various factors, despite their extensive language learning experience, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to improve oral communication skills among advanced learners.
Lack of listening comprehension skill
Listening comprehension is essential for effective English oral communication Despite their confidence in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary—gained through long-term study and nearly four years of university training—many students struggle to understand native speakers during conversations This difficulty leads to missed or misunderstood messages, hindering their ability to respond appropriately and promptly As a result, poor listening skills significantly impact the quality of English communication and interaction.
Lack of English oral fluency
English oral fluency is a crucial component of effective conversation, complementing listening comprehension Despite students demonstrating strong reading skills, developing spoken English fluency and proper intonation remains challenging, as this skill demands consistent practice Without regular practice, learners may find speaking English fluidly and naturally to be unfamiliar and difficult to achieve.
41 speak out English words In that case, it is also hard to pronounce English words correctly let alone remain fluent and intonation
Students often experience increased anxiety during oral English communication due to limited listening comprehension and speaking fluency, which diminishes their confidence This lack of confidence is common when individuals feel insecure about their skills, leading to fear of making mistakes and being judged by others, especially more proficient speakers or native speakers Confidence plays a crucial role in making a positive impression and handling challenging situations; the more self-assured a person is, the better they can navigate difficult interactions in English Improving listening comprehension and oral fluency can help students build confidence, reduce anxiety, and communicate more effectively in English.
The study indicates that students rarely practice oral English due to limited opportunities and unsuitable environments Many students cite the lack of access to native speakers, as they live in non-English speaking countries and have limited time to seek out conversation partners Although mobile apps like Cambly offer opportunities to communicate with native speakers, their high costs make them unaffordable for many learners Consequently, the limited exposure and practice time hinder students' ability to confidently handle real-life English communication situations.
Lack of proper learning methods
Choosing the right learning methods tailored to each student is crucial, as ineffective strategies can diminish motivation to learn English Many students force themselves to follow popular techniques without considering if they suit their individual learning styles, which can hinder progress Regardless of the methods used, maintaining a consistent practice schedule is essential for steady language improvement.
Recommendations
Based on the findings in this study, a number of implications for improving the English oral communication of the seniors in Faculty of English at Thuongmai University can be drawn
Teachers play a crucial role in boosting students' confidence and reducing anxiety in English communication by creating a supportive learning environment Utilizing innovative teaching methods, such as collaborative learning, encourages active participation through activities like role-plays, presentations, and drama, enabling students to express their ideas and enhance their English skills These modern approaches differ significantly from traditional methods, fostering increased engagement and effective language development in the classroom.
During the teaching process, incorporating teachers’ engaging English learning stories can inspire students and motivate them to learn more Students are naturally curious about their teachers’ experiences with learning English, including memorable moments, challenges faced, and cultural or international learning journeys Sharing these personal stories not only fosters a closer classroom connection but also encourages students to develop a deeper interest in English language learning.
Encouraging students to participate in extracurricular activities like games, competitions, and club events enriches their learning experience These activities provide opportunities for students to apply classroom theory in real-world settings, fostering practical skills Additionally, engaging in extracurriculars helps students build new relationships, enabling them to learn from seniors and experienced peers, thereby enhancing their personal and social development.
Offering more English communication classes with native speakers at the Faculty of English can significantly enhance students' language skills Students enjoy these interaction sessions, despite feeling shy and unconfident initially, which helps them gain practical speaking experience Increasing such opportunities not only boosts students' confidence but also improves their fluency and comprehension in real-world communication.
Despite all the efforts and amazing teaching methods of teachers, hardly can students improve their English oral communication skills if they themselves do not want to develop and learn
Students should recognize the importance of actively participating in English classes with qualified teachers, as these lessons provide invaluable knowledge and skills essential for language mastery Valuing the efforts of their teachers and appreciating the educational opportunities offered can significantly enhance their learning experience Attending English classes attentively not only improves language proficiency but also opens doors to academic and professional success Therefore, students must treasure these educational moments, understanding that the knowledge gained is a valuable asset for their future.
Students often underestimate the value of classroom lessons, missing out on crucial learning opportunities Despite this, they tend to overlook the importance of actively participating in collaborative activities during English classes This lack of engagement limits their development of essential English oral communication skills Typically, students only engage when explicitly directed by teachers, which further hinders their language proficiency growth.
To improve their English skills, students should dedicate time to practicing outside of classroom lessons by creating a clear learning schedule and setting specific goals, whether for fun, future careers, or family communication Maintaining consistency and practicing regularly are essential, as the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect,” since there are no shortcuts to success One effective technique is shadowing, where students listen to English podcasts or videos and mimic the speech with accurate intonation and speed Implementing structured practices like shadowing can significantly enhance language proficiency and confidence in English communication.
Students should select a 5-minute video from platforms like YouTube that strikes a balance between being engaging and manageable for practice Choosing videos on topics they are passionate about can increase motivation and enhance learning effectiveness By focusing on preferred subjects, learners are more likely to stay interested and committed to practicing regularly.
After selecting a video, learners should listen to it at least once to familiarize themselves with the speakers' speed and intonation It's not necessary to fully understand every word during the initial viewing, but if comprehension is entirely lacking, opting for a simpler video is advisable This approach helps improve listening skills and builds confidence in understanding spoken language.
To improve English speaking skills, learners should try to imitate the speakers' intonation and speed without pausing the video, enhancing their listening and pronunciation abilities Recording their voices allows learners to identify strengths and weaknesses, providing valuable feedback for targeted oral communication improvement Thisinteractive approach is effective for developing fluent and natural English speech.
Recent developments show that learners can now talk to themselves about various topics, enhancing their language practice through self-dialogue Using mobile apps that enable direct communication with native speakers is an effective way to improve English speaking skills Additionally, role-playing exercises in classes provide a valuable opportunity for students to practice real-life conversations, reflection, and interaction with teachers and friends To maximize their progress, learners should actively utilize classroom time for speaking practice and consistently work on their oral skills.
Students should actively engage in extracurricular activities recommended by teachers, such as games, competitions, and clubs, as these serve as valuable platforms for personal development and building social connections Participating in these activities enhances students' skills, fosters teamwork, and broadens their social network, contributing significantly to their overall growth.
Limitations of the study
The study revealed the current state of English oral communication skills among seniors at the Faculty of English, Thuongmai University, highlighting key challenges they face Despite providing valuable insights and proposing practical solutions to improve English speaking abilities, the research has some limitations that need to be addressed These shortcomings suggest the importance of further studies to enhance understanding and effectiveness of the suggested interventions for senior students' language development.
This study was conducted exclusively on senior students of the English faculty at Thuongmai University, limiting its scope and generalizability to a broader population Due to time constraints, only a quantitative research method was employed, which may not capture the full depth of the subject; incorporating additional methods like observation or interviews could provide richer, more comprehensive insights.
Besides, the study just paid attention to a part of English communication which is oral communication while English written communication is also worth researching
However, despite the above limitations, the study hopes to give useful results and contribute useful solutions to help students improve their English oral communication.
Suggestions for further study
Based on the study's limitations, future research aims to expand beyond senior English faculty students to include other students at Thuongmai University, broadening the scope of investigation Additionally, the study plans to explore other aspects of English communication, such as written English skills The overarching goal of all these studies is to enhance students' overall English proficiency.
English has become deeply integrated into our daily lives due to globalization and technological advancement Improving English skills is essential for students, especially those tasked with promoting Vietnam's presence on the world stage, requiring awareness from schools and determination from both teachers and students This study investigates the current state of English oral communication among final-year students at the Faculty of English, Thuongmai University Based on the findings, several practical suggestions are provided to help students enhance their English speaking abilities, including regular practice and active engagement in communication exercises.
Shadowing techniques and self-talk methods, combined with language learning apps like Cambly and Elsa Speak, are effective tools for improving English skills In today’s digital age, learners have access to abundant resources to enhance their language abilities, as long as they set clear goals and stay determined.
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QUESTIONNAIRNE: The questionnaire was designed on the topic: The reality of
English oral communication of the final-year students in Faculty of English at Thuongmai University
Question 2: How long have you been learning English?
Question 3: Personally judge your English oral communication level (on a scale of
Question 4: In your opinion, English oral communication is:
Question 5: How do you feel when you orally communicate in English?
Question 6: How many hours do you spend on practicing English oral communication?
Question 7: What methods do you usually use to practice English oral communication? (You can choose more than 1 answer)
B Role-playingF with friends, teachers
D Using English learning apps such as Cambly, Duelingo, Elsa Speak,etc
F Taking part in English classes
Question 8: When orally communicating, you usually: (You can choose more than 1 answer)
A Writing down what you tend to say
B Translating your mother-tougue into English in your head before saying
C Translating English into your mother-tougue in your head after receiving messages
D Arranging sentences in your head before saying
E Having quick and direct reflection
F Communicating naturally as native speakers
Question 9 -16: What extent do you agree on the following factors affecting English oral communication?
Factors Sub-factors Extent of agreement
Differentiating all sounds, intonation patterns between mother-tounge and English
Understanding the whole messages uttered by a speaker
Holding messages in memory until it can be processed
Using right parts of speech (verbs, nouns, adverbs,preposition s,etc)
Stress of word Stress of sentence Linking sounds
Oral fluency Remaining a certain speed without too much pauses
Remaining correctness in term of topic of the conversation
Remaining correctness in term of grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary
Flexibly communicating in any topics without undue hesitation
Interaction Showing attention to the conservation
Having a quick reflection after receiving messages
Giving appropriate feedback (not off- topic or too wordy) to the partner
Having ability to stimulate the conversation
Question 15: What difficulties do you encounter? (You can choose more than 1 answer)
A Can not express the ideas
B Can not catch the speaker's messages
C Spending too much time thinking and arranging sentences in English
D Do not have quick reflection
E Do not encounter any difficulties
Question 16: In your opinion, what are the reasons causing those difficulties in English oral communication? (You can choose more than 1 answer)
A Lacking English generap knowledge in terms of pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar
C Do not spend much time on practicing
F Lacking awareness of the importance of English