INTRODUCTION
Statement of the problem and rationale of the study
One of the main purposes of studying English is to use it for communication
O'Malley and Pierce (1996) emphasize the significance of speaking as a crucial skill for language learners Consequently, one of the primary objectives in teaching English is to enable learners to communicate effectively in spoken English.
Non-native EFL speakers often face challenges in effective communication due to the need to master key elements of the English language, such as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, fluency, and comprehension.
To enhance students' speaking proficiency, English teachers must implement innovative teaching methods that engage and motivate learners in speaking activities.
At Hanoi University of Business and Technology (HUBT), English teachers implement various activities from the "Market Leader - Pre-intermediate" course book to enhance student motivation and speaking skills Common activities include guessing, comparing, surveys, and detecting differences However, during English speaking lessons for second-year EFL students, several challenges hinder progress A significant issue is the lack of interest among some students in discussion activities, with many finding them unengaging and only participating when prompted Additionally, students may struggle with vocabulary and background knowledge, leading to ineffective collaboration and further disengagement Another concern is the repetitive use of the same discussion activities by teachers in multiple classes, which may contribute to student disinterest.
This action research study explores the effectiveness of discussion activities in enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology It highlights the challenges faced by students, including a lack of engagement and insufficient practice of English speaking skills outside the classroom The study aims to address these issues by implementing interactive and engaging discussion methods to foster a more active learning environment and improve students' overall language abilities.
Besides, the students are always asked to do tasks in formal or informal cooperative groups in class only without any preparation before class
To address challenges in discussion activities, the researcher selected debates and layout problems to enhance students' self-study and cooperative learning While these activities may be more demanding than previous methods, they encourage students to engage in thorough reading and research prior to class Participants will collaborate in both formal cooperative groups and base groups, allowing them to work together on assignments from the start of the semester This approach fosters self-directed learning and collaboration at home, ultimately helping students build long-term, supportive relationships.
To enhance English speaking instruction at the university level, action research is a more effective approach compared to traditional experimental research Action research addresses practical classroom challenges and fosters the development of educational practices, while experimental research often relies on social psychological laboratories to identify underlying issues Additionally, action research enables researchers to quickly identify immediate solutions to problems, making it a time-efficient method for improving teaching and learning outcomes.
This study investigates the impact of discussion activities on enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business.
This action research study explores the use of discussion activities to enhance motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By implementing interactive discussion methods, the research aims to engage students more effectively in their learning process, thereby improving their language skills and overall confidence in speaking English The findings suggest that incorporating discussion activities can significantly boost student motivation and proficiency in speaking, making it a valuable approach for EFL educators.
Technology: An Action Research Study.”
Aims of the study
The study aims at finding out whether discussion activities are used effectively in motivating the EFL second-year students at HUBT in learning speaking skill
Besides, the study also investigates how discussion activities can increase speaking proficiency of the students.
Research questions
To fulfill the aims of the research, the two following research questions should be answered:
1 How effective are discussion activities in motivating the students in learning speaking skill?
2 To what extent, do discussion activities increase speaking proficiency of the students?
Significance of the study
The study aims to enhance the understanding of discussion activities, students' motivation in speaking skills, and their speaking proficiency for researchers and English language teachers Additionally, the findings will be particularly beneficial for English teachers at Hanoi University of Business and Technology and across Vietnam, enabling them to improve their speaking lessons, which may lead to increased student motivation and enhanced English speaking proficiency.
Scope of the study
Discussion activities are highly effective in enhancing speaking skills in the classroom This study focuses on a group of 14 second-year EFL students from the Faculty of Accounting at HUBT, aiming to evaluate how these activities boost motivation and improve speaking proficiency The research highlights the impact of discussion on students' engagement and their overall speaking abilities.
This action research study explores the effectiveness of discussion activities in enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By implementing targeted discussion techniques, the study aims to foster a more engaging learning environment, ultimately improving students' communication skills and enthusiasm for language learning The findings suggest that incorporating interactive discussions can significantly boost both student motivation and their ability to speak English fluently.
DEVELOPMENT
LITERATURE REVIEW
1.1.1 The importance of teaching and learning speaking skill
Among the four skills in English (speaking, listening, writing, and reading), speaking skill plays a crucial part in helping learners learn a language effectively
Pattison (1992) highlights that when individuals refer to knowing a language, they primarily mean the ability to speak it Flohr and Paesler (2006) assert that speaking is the most crucial skill in foreign language acquisition, emphasizing that the emphasis should be on communication activities and expressive abilities, with the ultimate goal of achieving fluency Therefore, it is essential that teaching and learning speaking skills receive equal or even greater focus compared to other language skills.
Considered as a major focus on language teaching, "speaking" catches much attention of linguists In Oxford Advanced Dictionary, the definition of speaking is
Speaking is a fundamental skill that involves the expression of opinions, feelings, and ideas through oral communication According to Bygate (1987), effective speaking requires not only the correct use of sounds, rhythm, and intonation but also the appropriate choice of words and their arrangement to convey meaning accurately He emphasizes that speaking deserves equal attention as literacy skills in both first and second languages Learners are often expected to communicate with confidence for everyday transactions, making speaking essential for social interactions, professional growth, and business success Additionally, it serves as a vital medium for language acquisition, particularly beneficial for many learners.
This action research study focuses on enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology through the implementation of discussion activities By engaging students in meaningful conversations, the study aims to create a dynamic learning environment that fosters language skills and boosts confidence in speaking The findings indicate that incorporating interactive discussions not only increases student motivation but also significantly improves their speaking abilities, making it a valuable approach in EFL education.
Speaking is a crucial skill for EFL students, yet it often poses significant challenges Common issues include limited vocabulary, grammatical difficulties, and insufficient practice According to Ur (1996: 121), there are four primary problems that EFL learners face in speaking.
Speaking in a foreign language necessitates real-time interaction with an audience, which can be challenging for EFL students Many learners feel inhibited in the classroom, concerned about making mistakes or feeling shy due to the attention their speech draws.
Even not being inhibited, students often complain that they cannot think of anything to say
In large group discussions, only one participant can speak at a time, which limits individual speaking opportunities This issue is further exacerbated by some learners dominating the conversation, while others contribute little or remain silent.
In classrooms where many students share the same mother tongue, they often prefer to communicate in that language, as it feels more natural and comfortable This tendency can lead to a lack of discipline in practicing the target language during the learning process.
Students at HUBT, like many EFL learners, encounter significant challenges in developing their speaking skills, resulting in low proficiency levels A lack of motivation and reluctance to engage in speaking activities stem from various linguistic, cultural, and psychological factors Despite having studied English for over seven years, many students struggle to communicate effectively and often exhibit a lack of effort in improving their speaking abilities.
This action research study explores the effectiveness of discussion activities in enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By implementing interactive discussion techniques, the research aims to engage students actively, fostering a dynamic learning environment that promotes language skills The findings suggest that incorporating discussion activities not only boosts students' motivation but also significantly improves their speaking abilities, ultimately contributing to a more effective English learning experience.
In conclusion, speaking is considered one of the most difficult skills to master, necessitating greater emphasis in both learning and teaching Educators must be attuned to the challenges their students encounter in speaking classes.
1.2 Characteristics of a successful speaking activity
Effective speaking is a crucial skill that students are evaluated on in real-life scenarios, as it plays a significant role in daily interactions and often shapes first impressions According to Ur (1996), successful speaking activities are defined by four key characteristics that enhance communication and fluency.
To maximize language acquisition, it's crucial that learners engage in extensive speaking during activities, dedicating as much time as possible to student talk in the target language Unfortunately, many speaking tasks are hindered by students resorting to their native language after only a few utterances in the foreign language Additionally, excessive teacher talk can further diminish valuable practice time for students Ensuring that learners dominate the conversation is essential for effective language learning.
In effective classroom discussions, participation is balanced, ensuring that no single group of talkative students monopolizes the conversation It is essential for all students to have the opportunity to contribute, whether in whole-class settings or small groups Tasks should be structured to promote diverse input, preventing outspoken students from overshadowing others Teachers play a crucial role in facilitating this balance, stepping in when needed to ensure that students of varying abilities have equal chances to engage in discussions.
High motivation is a key characteristic of effective learners, as it drives their eagerness to engage in discussions about topics of interest or contribute towards achieving specific task objectives Research indicates that motivation plays a crucial role in successful language acquisition Educators can significantly enhance and sustain student motivation through various strategies.
This action research study explores the use of discussion activities to enhance motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology Engaging topics and clear objectives are crucial for fostering students' eagerness to participate in speaking activities It is essential to align tasks with students' abilities; overly simplistic tasks may be perceived as childish, leading to a decline in interest By carefully designing discussion activities, educators can significantly improve students' motivation and speaking skills.
RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
This section analyzes data gathered from second-year EFL students in class KT17.13, utilizing Survey Questionnaire 1 to assess their motivation levels prior to intervention and identify challenges in developing speaking skills The results for questions 1 and 4 from the survey are illustrated in the accompanying chart.
Figure 3.1 Students' levels of interest in English speaking lessons and discussion activities
According to the data presented, 64.29% of students expressed a dislike for speaking lessons, while only 35.71% showed a positive interest Among the respondents, just 7.14% were highly interested, another 7.14% liked speaking lessons very much, and 21.42% indicated a general interest in the subject.
In a recent survey on students' interest in discussion activities, 64.29% of students expressed a preference for participating, while 35.71% showed no interest Figure 3.1 illustrates that the overall sentiment towards speaking lessons and discussion activities is largely positive among the majority of students.
This action research study explores the effectiveness of discussion activities in enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By implementing interactive discussions, the study aims to create a more engaging learning environment that fosters student participation and improves language skills The findings highlight the positive impact of collaborative learning on students' confidence and speaking abilities, ultimately contributing to their overall academic success in English as a foreign language.
A study on students' willingness to speak English revealed that 71.43% of participants were open to speaking the language when prompted Notably, only 7.14% of learners communicated in English with friends, finding it beneficial, while a mere 14.29% of students engaged in English during enjoyable speaking activities.
You talk with your friends 7.14 %
You are interested in speaking activities 14.29%
Table 3.1 Students' speaking opportunities during speaking lessons
The collected data in the next figure revealed certain difficulties faced by the students during the process of learning speaking English
Figure 3.2 Students' difficulties in learning speaking English
In Figure 3.2, students identified limited vocabulary and grammatical knowledge, along with the influence of their native language, as the primary barriers to communicating in English Additionally, high anxiety and low self-confidence significantly impacted half of the students' ability to engage effectively in the language.
This action research study explores the effectiveness of discussion activities in enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By implementing interactive discussions, the research aims to engage students more effectively, fostering a supportive learning environment that boosts their confidence and communication skills The findings suggest that incorporating discussion-based methodologies significantly improves students' speaking abilities and overall motivation in language learning.
42.86% and 35.71% of 14 students agreed that their low fluency and accuracy, and their low motivation were the other obstacles for learning English speaking skill
Only 4 out of 14 students (28.57%) had difficulty in speaking due to their poor background knowledge
The next figure shows a list of some certain discussion activities that had ever been given to the students by their teachers and their preferences for the activities
Figure 3.3 Students' preferences for types of discussion activities
In a study of student engagement with various activities, comparing and guessing emerged as the most interesting, capturing the attention of 10 out of 14 students Conversely, while putting in order and surveys were common activities, they failed to engage half of the students, with five expressing little interest in detecting differences Layout problems and debates were largely unfamiliar to the majority, with only one or two students having prior experience; however, those who did engage with these activities displayed a positive attitude towards them.
After analyzing the results from the first survey questionnaire conducted among students in the preliminary investigation, it was evident that many students faced challenges in developing their speaking skills This struggle contributed to a lack of interest in speaking activities, indicating that the speaking skill was generally perceived as unengaging by the students.
This action research study explores the use of discussion activities to enhance motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology The researcher introduces innovative discussion formats, such as layout problems and debates, which have not been commonly utilized by instructors The primary objective is to stimulate student engagement during speaking lessons The study aims to assess the impact of these activities on students' motivation levels, providing insights into their effectiveness in language learning.
3.1.2 After action findings 3.1.2.1 After action questionnaire findings
Survey questionnaire 2 aimed to assess changes in student motivation following the implementation of the action The results, illustrated in the figure below, clearly demonstrate the levels of motivation among students.
Figure 3.4 Students' levels of motivation in speaking lessons
Following the intervention, there was a significant increase in student motivation, as illustrated in Figure 3.4 The data reveals that 57.14% of students found the speaking lessons engaging, with 21.42% expressing that they found the lessons very interesting and another 21.42% indicating a high level of interest.
There is only 1 out of 14 students (7.14%) choosing the option uninterested
In figure 3.5, the researcher presented students' levels of interest in discussion activities
This action research study explores the effectiveness of discussion activities in enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By implementing interactive discussion methods, the study aims to foster a more engaging learning environment that boosts students' confidence and communication skills The findings highlight the positive impact of collaborative learning on language acquisition, suggesting that integrating discussion activities into the curriculum can significantly improve students' speaking abilities and overall motivation in English language learning.
Figure 3.5 Students' levels of interest when participating in discussion activities
Following the speaking lessons that included two discussion activities, 42.86% of students expressed a strong interest in participating in these discussions Additionally, 35.71% of students reported feeling interested, while 21.42% indicated a high level of interest in the speaking lessons overall Notably, none of the students selected the option of being uninterested.
The following table shows students' comments on some of the opinions about discussion activities
A Discussion activities make me feel relaxed and enjoyable
B Discussion activities help lower my anxiety and develop confidence
C Discussion activities give me more opportunities to speak English
D Discussion activities make the speaking lessons more interesting because I can get involved in the tasks, and work out the solutions to the problems with my friends
E Discussion activities help me a lot in improving my 0 9 4 1 0
This action research study explores the effectiveness of discussion activities in enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By implementing interactive discussions, the study aims to foster a more engaging learning environment that boosts students' confidence and communication skills The findings highlight the positive impact of collaborative learning on students' motivation, ultimately leading to improved speaking abilities in English.
Table 3.2 Students' comments on discussion activities (1: highly agree, 2: agree, 3: neutral; 4: disagree, 5: strongly disagree)
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary of major findings
The researcher conducted a study to enhance motivation and improve English speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students by incorporating discussion activities into speaking lessons Fourteen students from class KT1713 participated in a six-week program, with data collected through oral tests, survey questionnaires, and comprehensive class observations.
After the implementation, the study answered the two research questions:
1 How effective are discussion activities in motivating the students in learning speaking skill?
2 To what extent, do discussion activities increase speaking proficiency of the students?
Implementing discussion activities in speaking lessons significantly boosts student motivation, with nearly all participants showing increased engagement However, one student exhibited minimal interest in both speaking lessons and discussions due to limited English proficiency, coupled with a fear of making mistakes and facing embarrassment.
The findings indicated that discussion activities significantly contributed to enhancing students' speaking proficiency, as evidenced by the improvement in post-test scores for many participants However, it is noteworthy that two students, despite their already high speaking proficiency, did not achieve better results.
A comparison of pre- and post-discussion data revealed that discussion activities significantly enhanced student motivation and had a positive impact on their speaking proficiency.
Recommendations
Based on the above findings the following recommendations can be made for
This action research study explores the effectiveness of using discussion activities to enhance motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology (HUBT) By implementing engaging discussions, the study aims to improve students' English speaking skills and foster a more interactive learning environment The findings highlight the positive impact of these activities on student motivation and overall language proficiency, suggesting that incorporating such methods can significantly benefit English language teaching at HUBT.
To enhance English speaking skills, HUBT administrators should increase the frequency of speaking practice from one to two lessons per week, providing students with additional opportunities for practice.
Teachers of English at HUBT should implement engaging and innovative discussion activities to enhance student participation in speaking lessons and improve their speaking proficiency It is crucial for educators to focus on students with lower speaking skills, offering support to boost their confidence in using English Additionally, teachers must dedicate more time to preparing teaching materials and equipping students with essential vocabulary and foundational knowledge on relevant topics prior to speaking practice.
For students, they should realize the importance of speaking skill in their future work and in real life, and then make a plan to improve their speaking proficiency
To enhance their English speaking skills, students should collaborate with friends to practice regularly, both during and outside of speaking classes Additionally, to boost their confidence in class, they need to dedicate time to individually or collectively prepare relevant information and useful language This preparation will equip them with topics to discuss, fostering greater confidence in their English speaking abilities.
Limitations of the study
The study has successfully enhanced the motivation and speaking proficiency of second-year EFL students at HUBT, though it acknowledges persistent errors and limitations stemming from gaps in knowledge, teaching experience, and research skills.
The study, conducted with a small class of only 14 students, yields findings that are specific to this group and may not be applicable to other classes To enhance the generalizability of the results, a larger and more diverse sample size would be beneficial.
This action research study explores the effectiveness of discussion activities in enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology The findings suggest that implementing these activities can significantly boost students' engagement and language skills However, the reliability of the results could be strengthened if the study were conducted across a broader range of classes.
The study was conducted over a brief six-week period, which may limit the accuracy of the results A longer implementation would have allowed for a more in-depth investigation of the subjects' knowledge and provided more convincing data.
The study relied solely on oral tests, survey questionnaires, and general class observations for data collection Incorporating on-task behavior observations and conducting student interviews could have yielded more precise results.
Suggestions for further study
Numerous researchers have focused on enhancing student motivation and speaking proficiency; however, there is a notable lack of studies specifically examining discussion activities It is essential to encourage further research in this area to explore the effectiveness of discussion-based learning Future studies should investigate various aspects of discussion activities to better understand their impact on student engagement and speaking skills.
Further research is needed to explore the impact of discussion activities on enhancing students' motivation and speaking proficiency in English lessons, ideally conducted over an extended period and involving a larger sample of Vietnamese students.
● There are a lot of discussion activities, so other researchers can use more interesting and proper ones in their research
● Besides it is expected that there will be more studies on using discussion activities to improve students' motivation in other skills such as reading, writing or listening
Researchers investigating discussion activities should conduct on-task behavior observations in addition to overall class observations and interviews with students to obtain more accurate results.
This action research study explores the effectiveness of discussion activities in enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By implementing interactive discussions, the study aims to create a more engaging learning environment, ultimately improving students' language skills and confidence in speaking The findings suggest that incorporating such activities significantly boosts students' motivation and proficiency, highlighting the importance of active participation in language learning.
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Using discussion activities can significantly enhance the motivation and speaking proficiency of second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology This action research study explores effective strategies to engage students in meaningful conversations, ultimately improving their language skills By implementing structured discussion activities, educators can foster a more interactive learning environment that encourages student participation and boosts confidence in speaking English.
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This action research study explores the effectiveness of discussion activities in enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By implementing interactive discussions, the study aims to engage students actively, fostering a more stimulating learning environment The findings indicate that such activities significantly boost students' confidence and participation in speaking tasks, ultimately leading to improved language skills and a more positive attitude towards learning English.
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This action research study explores the effectiveness of discussion activities in enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By implementing interactive discussions, the study aims to foster a more engaging learning environment that encourages students to actively participate and improve their English speaking skills The findings suggest that such activities significantly contribute to increased student motivation and proficiency, highlighting the importance of dynamic teaching methods in language education.
I am doing research on "Using discussion activities to increase motivation and speaking proficiency of second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology"
I would be grateful if you could spend some time completing this survey questionnaire
Please put a tick (v) for the most suitable answer for each of the following questions For questions number 3 and 5, you may choose more than one answer
1 How much do you feel interested in learning speaking English?
□ you talk with your friends
□ you are interested in speaking activities
3 What are your difficulties in speaking English?
□ Your limited vocabulary and grammatical knowledge
This action research study explores the implementation of discussion activities aimed at enhancing motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By integrating interactive discussions into the curriculum, the study seeks to foster a more engaging learning environment, ultimately improving students' communication skills and overall language proficiency The findings highlight the positive impact of these activities on student motivation and speaking abilities, emphasizing the importance of active participation in language learning.
□ Your high anxiety and low self-confidence
4 How much are you interested in discussion activities?
5 Have any of the following discussion activities been given by your teachers?
If YES, please put a tick under the number which shows your liking (1: very interested, 2: rather interested, 3: not decided, 4: not interested at all)
Please give reasons why you like or don't like the activities
Thank you for your cooperation!
This action research study explores the implementation of discussion activities to enhance motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By integrating interactive discussions into the curriculum, the study aims to create a more engaging learning environment that fosters student participation and improves oral communication skills The findings indicate that such activities significantly boost students' motivation and contribute to their overall speaking proficiency, highlighting the importance of active learning strategies in language education.
Các em sinh viên thân mến, tôi đang thực hiện một nghiên cứu về việc "Sử dụng các hoạt động thảo luận để tăng cường động lực học nói và nâng cao sự thành thạo trong kỹ năng nói của sinh viên năm thứ hai tại trường Đại học Kinh Doanh và Công nghệ Hà Nội".
Mong các em dành chút thời gian hoàn thành phiếu điều tra này
Hãy đánh dấu (v) vào câu trả lời em chọn Với câu hỏi số 3 và 5, các em có thể chọn nhiều hơn một đáp án
1 Mức độ thích thú của em khi học nói tiếng Anh?
2 Em nói tiếng Anh khi
□ thầy cô giáo yêu cầu em nói
□ em biết rằng rất hữu ích cho em
□ em thích các hoạt động nói
3 Em gặp phải những khó khăn gì khi nói tiếng Anh?
□ Động lực học nói rất thấp
□ Kiến thức cơ bản nghèo nàn
□ Vốn kiến thức về từ vựng và ngữ pháp rất hạn chế
□ Hay lo lắng và không mấy tự tin
□ Mức độ trôi cháy và chính xác khi nói thấp
4 Mức độ thích thú của em với các hoạt động thảo luận
This action research study explores the implementation of discussion activities to enhance motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By integrating interactive discussions into the curriculum, the study aims to foster a more engaging learning environment that encourages student participation and improves their language skills The findings suggest that such activities significantly contribute to increased motivation and greater speaking proficiency, highlighting the importance of active learning strategies in language education.
5 Trong các hoạt động thảo luận sau đây, có những hoạt động nào đã từng được sử dụng bởi thầy cô giáo em? Nếu CÓ, em hãy đánh dấu (v) bên dưới các số từ 1 đến 5 chir mức độ thích thú của em với từng hoạt động (1: rất thích, 2: khá thích, 3: chưa quyết định, 4: không thích)
Có Không Mức độ thích
Tìm ra sự khác nhau □ □ □ □ □ □ Sắp xếp theo thứ tự □ □ □ □ □ □ Giải quyết vấn đề □ □ □ □ □ □
Hãy nêu lí do tại sao em thích hoặc không thích các hoạt động đó
Cảm ơn sự hợp tác của các em!
This action research study explores the use of discussion activities to enhance motivation and speaking proficiency among second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By implementing interactive discussions, the study aims to create a more engaging learning environment that fosters students' confidence and communication skills The findings indicate that incorporating discussion-based methods significantly improves students' motivation and their ability to speak English effectively Overall, this research highlights the importance of active learning strategies in language education, particularly for EFL learners.
I am doing research on "Using discussion activities to increase motivation and speaking proficiency of second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology"
I would be grateful if you could spend some time completing this survey questionnaire
Please put a tick (v) for the most suitable answer for each of the following questions
1 Your level of interest in learning speaking lessons?
2 How do you feel when taking part in discussion activities?
3 Do you like any of the two discussion activities that have been applied by your teacher? If YES, which one do you like better?
4 How do you agree/ disagree with the following statements? Put a tick under the number which shows your opinion
(1: highly agree, 2: agree, 3: neutral, 4: disagree, 5: strongly disagree)
This action research study explores the effectiveness of discussion activities in enhancing the motivation and speaking proficiency of second-year EFL students at Hanoi University of Business and Technology By implementing interactive discussions, the research aims to create a more engaging learning environment that fosters student participation and improves language skills The findings suggest that incorporating discussion-based methods significantly boosts students' confidence and speaking abilities, ultimately leading to a more dynamic and effective English learning experience.
A Discussion activities make me feel relaxed and enjoyable
B Discussion activities help lower my anxiety and develop confidence
C Discussion activities give me more opportunities to speak English
D Discussion activities make the speaking lessons more interesting because I can get involved in the tasks, and work out the solutions to the problems with my friends
E Discussion activities help me a lot in improving my speaking motivation
5 Do you expect your teacher to use discussion activities in your English speaking classes in the future?
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