Factors negatively affecting non english majored students’ speaking skills a study at ho chi minh city university of technology

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY - NGUYEN NGOC DUC FACTORS NEGATIVELY AFFECTING NONENGLISH MAJORED STUDENTS’ SPEAKING SKILLS: A STUDY AT HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Major: English Language Course code: 60220201 HO CHI MINH CITY, JUNE 2021 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY - FACTORS NEGATIVELY AFFECTING NONENGLISH MAJORED STUDENTS’ SPEAKING SKILLS: A STUDY AT HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Submitted to the Faculty of English Language in partial fulfillment of the Master’s degree in English Number of words: 23,230 Language Course code: 60220201 By NGUYEN NGOC DUC Supervised by LE VAN TUYEN, Ph.D HO CHI MINH CITY, JUNE 2021 The thesis entitled Factors negatively affecting non-English majored students’ speaking skills: A study at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology was successfully defended and approved on 29th June 2021 at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) Academic supervisor: Le Van Tuyen, Ph.D (full name, title, signature) Examination Committee Nguyen Thi Kieu Thu, Ph.D Chair Tran Quoc Thao, Ph.D Reader Luu Thi Mai Vy, Ph.D Reader Duong My Tham, Ph.D Member Nguyen Ngoc Tran Chau, Ph.D Secretary Member On behalf of the Examination Committee Chair Nguyen Thi Kieu Thu, Ph.D HCMC UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY POSTGRADUATE INSTITUTE -HCMC, 29th June 2021 MASTER’S THESIS REPORT Student name: NGUYEN NGOC DUC……… Sex: Male………………………… Date of birth: 07 July 1980…………………… Place of birth: Vinh Long……… Major: English Language…………………… Student code: 1941900026……… I- Thesis title: Factors negatively affecting non-English majored students’ speaking skills: A study at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology II- Objectives and contents: Ø To explore the factors negatively affecting the learning of English-speaking skills Ø To discover teachers’ attitudes, beliefs and teaching strategies with the aim of helping their students reduce the negative effects on the learning of speaking skills The study was conducted at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology (HUTECH) It focused on investigating the factors negatively affecting non-English majored students’s speaking skills The participants were 176 third-year students from different major classes: Marketing, Business Administration, Logistics, Control Engineer and Automation A mix-method design was applied to collect both quantitative and qualitative data For data analysis, SPSS software was used to analyze the data collected from the questionnaire In addition, thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data collect from semi-structure interviews i III- Starting date: (as stated in the Decision issued by the University) IV- Completing date: 29th June 2021 V- Academic supervisor: Le Van Tuyen, Ph.D ACADEMIC SUPERVISOR FACULTY DEAN LE VAN TUYEN, Ph.D ii CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY I certify my authorship of the Master’s Thesis submitted today entitled: “FACTORS NEGATIVELY AFFECTING NON-ENGLISH MAJORED STUDENTS’ SPEAKING SKILLS: A STUDY AT HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY” In terms of the statement of requirements for Theses in Master’s programs issued by the Higher Degree Committee of Faculty of English Language, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology Ho Chi Minh City, 29th June 2021 NGUYEN NGOC DUC iii RETENTION AND USE OF THE THESIS I hereby state that I, NGUYEN NGOC DUC, being a candidate for the degree of Master of Arts (English Language) accept the requirements of the University relating to the retention and use of Master’s Theses deposited in the library In terms of these conditions, I agree that the original of my Master’s Thesis deposited in the library should be accessible for purposes of study and research, in accordance with the normal conditions established by the Librarian for the care, loan, and reproduction for theses Ho Chi Minh City, 29th June 2021 NGUYEN NGOC DUC iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr Le Van Tuyen, my supervisor, for his elaborate instructions, invaluable guidance and constant encouragement through the whole research process Without his support and guidance, this thesis would have never been completed Secondly, I am profoundly grateful for the enthusiastic instructions and assistance of Dr Nguyen Thi Kieu Thu, the Dean of English Language Faculty, Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology I would also like to thank all of my beloved teachers for their interesting and informative lectures throughout my Master course Thirdly, I am also grateful to the staff at Institue of Postgraduate Studies as well as my colleagues for their support, and non-majored English students at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology for their participation in the survey and the interviews, which played a major role in the completion of my study Finally, most especially to my wife, who has created the most favorable environment for me within the course, and during the time of writing and completing this thesis NGUYEN NGOC DUC v ABSTRACT In Vietnam, English is considered one of the most important foreign languages and taught formally from elementary schools up to universities At Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), English is taught to all students of different disciplines English speaking skill is considered a vital skill for them to apply for a good job after graduating from the university Nonetheless, not many of the students are confident enough and can communicate well in English Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the factors negatively affecting their learning English speaking skills To achieve the aims of the study, the researcher used the following data collection instruments: First, the survey questionnaire was used for collecting quantitative data The participants took part in the survey included 167 third-yearstudents from four different majors Next, the interview questions for students were also conducted for qualitative data collection 12 students from four classes volunteered to paticipate in the interviews To analyze the collected data, descriptive and content analysis were employed The findings revealed that among four major factors: student-related factors, teacher-related factors, curriculum/ textbook-related factors and class-related factors, teacher and class are the two most influential factors negatively affecting their speaking skills Lastly, some strategies for the teachers to reduce those negative effects were also suggested with the aim of motivating and enhancing the learning process of HUTECH non-English majored students’ speaking skills It is expected that the findings of the study will help to find out strategies for teachers to reduce the negative effects of those factors Furthermore, lecturers teaching non-English major at HUTECH may choose and apply appropriate teaching methods to help their students enhance speaking competence Keywords: Factors, negatively, speaking skills, non-English majored students, strategies vi TABLE OF CONTENT Page CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY iii RETENTION AND USE OF THE THESIS .iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v ABSTRACT vi LIST OF TABLES xi LIST OF FIGURES xii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xiii TABLE OF NUMBER OF WORDS xiv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the study 1.2 Statement of the problem 1.3 Aims and objectives of the study 1.4 Research questions 1.5 Scope of the study 1.6 Significance of the study 1.7 Definitions of the terms 1.8 Organization of the study CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 11 2.1 English speaking skills 11 2.1.1 Definition… 11 2.1.2 The importance of speaking skills 12 2.1.3 Characteristics of speaking skills 12 2.2 Factors affecting learning’s English-speaking skills 13 2.2.1 Student-related factors 13 2.2.1.1 Motivation 14 vii APPENDIX D INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS (VIETNAMESE VERSION) Sinh viên … Hướng dẫn: Cuộc vấn nhằm mục đich thu thập thông tin “Các yếu tố tác động tiêu cực đến việc học kỹ nói tiếng Anh sinh viên HUTECH khơng chun ngành tiếng Anh” Vui lịng trả lời câu hỏi sau: Bạn học chuyên ngành gì? Bạn học tiếng Anh rồi? Tại bạn học tiếng Anh? Bạn có nhận thấy nói kỹ khó việc học tiếng Anh khơng? Tại sao? Bạn có gặp khó khăn việc học kỹ nói khơng? Đó khó khăn gì? Những yếu tố có ảnh hưởng tiêu cực đến việc học kỹ nói bạn? Những chiến lược giảng viên nên sử dụng để tạo động lực cho sinh viên nói tiếng Anh? Những chiến lược giảng viên nên sử dụng, để hạn chế tác động tiêu cực yếu tố, có tác động đến việc học kỹ nói sinh viên? Sinh viên nên làm đề khắc phục khó khăn việc học kỹ nói? CẢM ƠN! 103 APPENDIX E STUDENT INTERVIEW’S RESPONSES Student 1: (S1) Instruction: The interview is an attempt to collect information about “Factors negative affecting non-English majored students’ speaking skills: A study at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology” Please kindly answer these following questions What’s your major? Logistics How long have you been learning English? Almost 13 years Why you study English? Well, learning English plays an essential role in our lives First, of course, for a lucrative job with a high salary But the more i learn English, the more I find it interesting So now it's just simply my hobby Do you find speaking the most difficult skill in learning English? Why? I definitely agree Maybe you just feel not confident enough, or maybe you're an introvert and don't know how to make small talk, Do you have any difficulties in learning speaking skills? What are they? Well, I used to be so shy to speak everything in English, about 4-5 years ago, mostly because I'm not really confident, and underestimate my ability But now I'm not anymore Maybe I can call it a revolution of myself What are the factors that negatively affect your speaking skills? For me, I would say procrastination, not self - confident enough, and lack of pronunciation What strategies should the English teacher use to motivate students’ speaking skills? 104 Well, practice makes perfect What we need here is students' self - discipline Students need to make their own encouragement What strategies should the English teacher use to reduce negative effects of some factors on students’ speaking skills? Encourage their confidence, take it easy, and don't push them too hard What should students to overcome difficulties in learning English speaking skills? Build your self - discipline, improve your pronunciation, of course, gramma plays an important part in your speaking Learning English is a progress, it may take about months or more to see the result Consistency is the key to success Thank you! Student 2: (S2) Instruction: The interview is an attempt to collect information about “Factors negative affecting non-English majored students’ speaking skills: A study at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology” Please kindly answer these following questions What’s your major? Control Engineering and Automation How long have you been learning English? About or years Why you study English? I have to learn English because it’s a compulsory school subject Do you find speaking the most difficult skill in learning English? Why? I think writing is more difficult than speaking because we have to be good at grammar to be able to write correctly Otherwise, speaking does not require standard grammar, as long as we can express what we want to say Do you have any difficulties in learning speaking skills? What are they? 105 I have difficulty in pronunciation because I’m familiar with Vietnamese style but English grammar and structures are different What are the factors that negatively affect your speaking skills? It’s a whisper in my mind: you can’t speak out! you will make this mistake or that error What strategies should the English teacher use to motivate students’ speaking skills? I think that teachers should something to motivate and inspire us with the aim of boosting our potential abilities What strategies should the English teacher use to reduce negative effects of some factors on students’ speaking skills? I don’t know how to answer this question but I think most students are afraid of making mistakes when speaking English What should students to overcome difficulties in learning English speaking skills? Set the English language in their smartphones, watch English movies, and funny clips on YouTube Thank you! Student 3: (S3) Instruction: The interview is an attempt to collect information about “Factors negative affecting non-English majored students’ speaking skills: A study at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology” Please kindly answer these following questions What’s your major? Business Administration 106 How long have you been learning English? I’ve been learning English for years Why you study English? I study English because it’s very necessary for my future job Do you find speaking the most difficult skill in learning English? Why? No, listening is more difficult Do you have any difficulties in learning speaking skills? What are they? Yes, my poor vocabulary and grammar make me difficult to speak English What are the factors that negatively affect your speaking skills? I rarely speak in class because of my poor pronunciation, I’m afraid that my partner does not understand me What strategies should the English teacher use to motivate students’ speaking skills? Practice a little every day What strategies should the English teacher use to reduce negative effects of some factors on students’ speaking skills? I not know how to answer this question What should students to overcome difficulties in learning English speaking skills? They should frequently practice speaking English to teacher and friends Thank you! 107 Student 4: (S4) Instruction: The interview is an attempt to collect information about “Factors negative affecting non-English majored students’ speaking skills: A study at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology” Please kindly answer these following questions What’s your major? Control Engineering and Automation How long have you been learning English? About 10 years Why you study English? I study English because it’s an international language Do you find speaking the most difficult skill in learning English? Why? Yes Do you have any difficulties in learning speaking skills? What are they? Yes, it’s pronunciation What are the factors that negatively affect your speaking skills? In my opinion, learning environment and large classes have a negative impact on the learning of speaking skills What strategies should the English teacher use to motivate students’ speaking skills? I don’t know What strategies should the English teacher use to reduce negative effects of some factors on students’ speaking skills? I don’t know how to answer this question What should students to overcome difficulties in learning English speaking skills? Be more confident Thank you! 108 Student 5: (S5) Instruction: The interview is an attempt to collect information about “Factors negative affecting non-English majored students’ speaking skills: A study at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology” Please kindly answer these following questions What’s your major? Marketing How long have you been learning English? I’ve have been learning English since I was at High school Why you study English? I study English because it’s a tool that helps me earn more money Do you find speaking the most difficult skill in learning English? Why? No, I think writing is the most difficult skill in learning English., Do you have any difficulties in learning speaking skills? What are they? Yes, my pronunciation is not good What are the factors that negatively affect your speaking skills? The fact that teachers pronounce incorrectly leads to students’ mistakes in pronunciation What strategies should the English teacher use to motivate students’ speaking skills? They should suggest some interesting movies, songs or YouTube channels of famous vloggers, oversea students so that we can listen and imitate What strategies should the English teacher use to reduce negative effects of some factors on students’ speaking skills? I don’t know What should students to overcome difficulties in learning English speaking skills? They should usually practice listening and speaking 109 Student 6: (S6) Instruction: The interview is an attempt to collect information about “Factors negative affecting non-English majored students’ speaking skills: A study at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology” Please kindly answer these following questions What’s your major? Marketing How long have you been learning English? About 11 years Why you study English? Because it is essential for my future job and helps me communicate with foreigners Do you find speaking the most difficult skill in learning English? Why? Yes, speaking is the most difficult skill in learning English due to low pronunciation Do you have any difficulties in learning speaking skills? What are they? Yes, pronunciation and fluency What are the factors that negatively affect your speaking skills? Pronunciation, my teacher rarely corrects me when I pronounce a word incorrectly What strategies should the English teacher use to motivate students’ speaking skills? Create speaking environment for students to practice, provide them listening tasks about pronunciation so that they can imitate native speakers’ pronunciation What strategies should the English teacher use to reduce negative effects of some factors on students’ speaking skills? Use pictures and videos to motivate and encourage students to think, guess and discuss together 110 What should students to overcome difficulties in learning English speaking skills? Listen and repeat the words that they pronounced incorrectly Learn from the mistakes Thank you! Student 7: (S7) Instruction: The interview is an attempt to collect information about “Factors negative affecting non-English majored students’ speaking skills: A study at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology” Please kindly answer these following questions What’s your major? Business Administration How long have you been learning English? For 10 years Why you study English? Because it’s the most popular language in the world Do you find speaking the most difficult skill in learning English? Why? Yes, Vietnamese style of pronunciation causes trouble to communicate with foreigners Do you have any difficulties in learning speaking skills? What are they? Yes, it’s pronunciation In addition, grammar structure and word orders are also different from Vietnamese What are the factors that negatively affect your speaking skills? Vocabulary My vocabulary is very poor and I don’t know how to express my ideals in English 111 What strategies should the English teacher use to motivate students’ speaking skills? I think the teachers should pay more attention to the students and talk to us in English as much as possible What strategies should the English teacher use to reduce negative effects of some factors on students’ speaking skills? Teach us how to learn pronunciation easily and correctly What should students to overcome difficulties in learning English speaking skills? Listen to English songs and self-practice speaking more often Thank you! Student 8: (S8) Instruction: The interview is an attempt to collect information about “Factors negative affecting non-English majored students’ speaking skills: A study at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology” Please kindly answer these following questions What’s your major? Business Administration How long have you been learning English? More than years Why you study English? Essential need for future job Do you find speaking the most difficult skill in learning English? Why? Yes, because I have low pronunciation so I can’t speak English well Do you have any difficulties in learning speaking skills? What are they? Accents like native speakers 112 What are the factors that negatively affect your speaking skills? Grammar The structures and word orders are deafferent from my mothertongue’s What strategies should the English teacher use to motivate students’ speaking skills? Provide students some games in English, give us situational topics for discussion What strategies should the English teacher use to reduce negative effects of some factors on students’ speaking skills? I not know What should students to overcome difficulties in learning English speaking skills? Learn new words to enlarge vocabulary Thank you! Student 9: (S9) Instruction: The interview is an attempt to collect information about “Factors negative affecting non-English majored students’ speaking skills: A study at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology” Please kindly answer these following questions What’s your major? Logistic and Supply chain management How long have you been learning English? I’ve been learning English for years Why you study English? Because it’s very necessary for my future job Do you find speaking the most difficult skill in learning English? Why? Yes, because it’s most important skill in learning English 113 Do you have any difficulties in learning speaking skills? What are they? Yes, a little Pronunciation and fluency What are the factors that negatively affect your speaking skills? Yes, pronunciation What strategies should the English teacher use to motivate students’ speaking skills? I think teachers should frequently communicate with students in English What strategies should the English teacher use to reduce negative effects of some factors on students’ speaking skills? Give students some extra questions for discussion after doing listening exercises What should students to overcome difficulties in learning English speaking skills? Practice speaking more often Thank you! Student 10: (S10) Instruction: The interview is an attempt to collect information about “Factors negative affecting non-English majored students’ speaking skills: A study at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology” Please kindly answer these following questions What’s your major? Logistic and Supply chain management How long have you been learning English? About 10 years Why you study English? Because it’s very necessary for my major and future job Do you find speaking the most difficult skill in learning English? Why? 114 Yes, because you must pronounce correctly so that your partners are able to understand you Do you have any difficulties in learning speaking skills? What are they? Yes, stressed syllable and pronunciation What are the factors that negatively affect your speaking skills? Not usually speak English What strategies should the English teacher use to motivate students’ speaking skills? Create speaking environment for students to speak English What strategies should the English teacher use to reduce negative effects of some factors on students’ speaking skills? Motivate students by games, videos and music What should students to overcome difficulties in learning English speaking skills? They should communicate with friends in English every day, improve pronunciation through some mobile apps Thank you! Student 11: (S11) Instruction: The interview is an attempt to collect information about “Factors negative affecting non-English majored students’ speaking skills: A study at Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology” Please kindly answer these following questions What’s your major? Logistic and Supply chain management How long have you been learning English? About years 115 Why you study English? I study English because it is very important to the integration and development of our economy So, it creates opportunities for us to work with foreigners Do you find speaking the most difficult skill in learning English? Why? Yes, because English has a variety of accents and it’s difficult to learn standard English Do you have any difficulties in learning speaking skills? What are they? Yes, I sometime make mistakes in pronunciation and stress What are the factors that negatively affect your speaking skills? Learning environment and low self-consciousness What strategies should the English teacher use to motivate students’ speaking skills? Create speaking environment for students to practice with classmates in speaking hours What strategies should the English teacher use to reduce negative effects of some factors on students’ speaking skills? Give students some speaking topics, ask them to record their speech and submit as homework What should students to overcome difficulties in learning English speaking skills? Must have objective and motivation to learn Self-discipline, hardworking and effort Thank you! 116 Student 12: (S12) Instruction: The interview is an attempt to collect information about “Factors Negatively Affect the English-Speaking Skills of Non-English Majored Students at HUTECH” Please kindly answer these following questions What’s your major? Logistic and Supply chain management How long have you been learning English? For 10 years Why you study English? Because it’s very vital for my major Do you find speaking the most difficult skill in learning English? Why? Yes, because I have to pronounce a word correctly so that my partner is able understand me Do you have any difficulties in learning speaking skills? What are they? Yes, I can’t pronounce some consonant clusters due to my local accents What are the factors that negatively affect your speaking skills? Not usually speak English to teachers and friends What strategies should the English teacher use to motivate students’ speaking skills? Ask students to practice speaking English as much as possible in speaking hours What strategies should the English teacher use to reduce negative effects of some factors on students’ speaking skills? Giving feedback but not criticizing students when they pronounce incorrectly What should students to overcome difficulties in learning English speaking skills? They should often practice speaking English with everybody Thank you! 117