Effects of Using Supplementary Communication Exercises to Enhance English Speaking Skills for EFL Learners

Abstract

In this study, the researchers were concerned with two objectives: (1) to study the effects of using supplementary communication exercises to enhance English speaking skills; and (2) to explore the students’ perception of the use of supplementary communication exercises. The participants consisted of 38 English-major students in the first year of the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan – Ok: Chakrabongse Bhuvanarth Campus, using purposive sampling. The research instruments included lesson plans, a pre-post test, supplementary communication exercises, the conversational writing form, the conversational observation form, and the students’ perception form. Using techniques of descriptive statistics, the researcher analyzed the data obtained in terms of percentage, mean score, standard deviation score, and t-test score for the dependent sample. The research results revealed that the students’ English exam scores, after student’s used supplementary communication exercises to enhance English speaking skills, were higher with a statistical significance at .01 level. The analysis results from the conversational writing form showed that the students were mostly able to communicate their understanding. Likewise, the analysis results from the conversational observation form with role-playing activities were at a good level, in which the students cooperated in role-playing activities and did them smoothly. Moreover, they had a positive perception of classroom instruction and had more confidence in speaking English because of the role-playing activities. This study shows that regular practice through role-playing activities is an important key for enhancing students’ speaking abilities and improving their speaking confidence.