Factors Enhancing English Speaking Ability: Perspectives from Thai High School Students and Their Teachers

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Vol.31 No.1
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Published: Jun 6, 2019
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Factors English speaking ability perspectives high school students

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Thanatchaporn Triwittayayon
Thammasat University
Nopporn Sarobol
Thammasat University

Abstract

Regarding the English language skills, speaking seems to be the most crucial skill in terms of communication or interaction in daily lives (Ur, 1996). This present study aimed to investigate factors enhancing English speaking ability, also the most influential factor affecting speaking ability. The participants were 5 high school students who had received awards from a national speech competition to guarantee their English speaking ability and 10 English teachers who had taught those students or trained them to participate in the competition. Semi- structured interview and in-depth interview were used as research instruments. The findings revealed that factors which enhanced the students to be fluent in speaking English were their language learning styles, age, attitudes, family support, personality, exposure to the language, and their English teachers, while personality and their exposure to the language were the most influential factors. The results of this study will benefit both teachers and students in regard to getting insight on the factors that may have an influence on the students’ English speaking ability.

Article Details

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Vol. 31 No. 1 (2018): June
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Articles

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Author Biographies

Thanatchaporn Triwittayayon, Thammasat University

Thanatchaporn Triwittayayon graduated her Bachelor’s degree in Education (English major) in 2013 from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. Also, she received a Master’s degree in English Language Teaching (ELT) at the Language Institute, Thammasat University in Bangkok. Her research interests include speaking skills, communicative language teaching, learning styles.

Nopporn Sarobol, Thammasat University

Nopporn Sarobol is at present an associate professor at the Language Institute, Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand. She received a bachelor degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from Chulalongkorn University and a master degree in Teaching English from Kasetsart University. She has been teaching English for more than 30 years. Her areas of interest include language teaching methodology, learner independence, cooperative and collaborative learning, professional development and study-abroad program. She was the President of Thailand TESOL from 2011-2013. Now she serves as the Past President of Thailand TESOL.

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