Exploring Thai EFL Learners' Preferences for Speaking Activities

Main Article Content

Brigette Beding

บทคัดย่อ

       This study aimed to determine the preferred speaking activities of Thai EFL learners and to explore the rationale behind their preferences. The participants were 44 first-year English major students enrolled in the Listening and Speaking in Daily Life course at the University of Phayao, Thailand. The participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews and analyzed through descriptive statistics and content analysis. The results showed that Thai EFL learners most preferred engaging in language games (79.55%), conversations (70.45%), role plays (65.91%), pronunciation drills (61.36%), and describing pictures (59.09%). Other speaking activities were less preferred. Findings from the interviews with 11 participants further supported these preferences, revealing that learners found the top five activities to be motivating, relaxing, and enjoyable. Participants noted that these activities encouraged group work, provided more opportunities to speak the language, and helped them improve their speaking skills. Understanding learners' preferred speaking activities can help educators design teaching strategies and materials that resonate with students' needs, fostering a more supportive and effective language-learning environment.

Article Details

How to Cite
Beding, B. (2024). Exploring Thai EFL Learners’ Preferences for Speaking Activities. มนุษยสังคมสาร (มสส.) คณะมนุษยศาสตร์และสังคมศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยราชภัฏบุรีรัมย์, 22(3), 207–226. https://doi.org/10.14456/jhusoc.2024.33
บท
บทความวิจัย

References

Adamson, J. (2004). Culture and English language teaching in Thailand. RELC Journal, 35(1), 37-57.

Baker, W. (2015). Culture and identity through English as a lingua franca: Rethinking concepts and goals in intercultural communication. De Gruyter.

Bruner, J. (2004). Life as narrative. Social Research: An International Quarterly, 71(3), 691-710. https://doi.org/10.1353/sor.2004.0045

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2017). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Press.

Dörnyei, Z. (2001). Teaching and researching motivation. Longman.

Dörnyei, Z., & Ushioda, E. (2011). Teaching and researching motivation (2nd ed.). Pearson Education.

Khamkhien, A. (2010). Teaching English speaking and English speaking tests in the Thai context: A reflection from Thai teachers. English Language Teaching, 3(1), 184-190.

Leong, L., & Ahmadi, S. M. (2017). An analysis of factors influencing learners’ English speaking skill. International Journal of Research in English Education, 2(1), 34-45. https://doi.org/10.18869/acadpub.ijree.2.1.34

Mahmoodi, H., Narafshan, M. H., & Shahabi, H. (2021). Learners’ preferences in English language learning: A cross-sectional study at Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences. Strides in Development of Medical Education, 18(1), 196-210. https://doi.org/10.22062/sdme.2021.196170.1060

Mon, P. (2019). A study on students’ preference for classroom activities and perceptions of the effectiveness of those activities in English language learning. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD), 3(5), 1828-1836.

Moore, D. (2011). Effective instructional strategies: From theory to practice. SAGE Publications.

Nation, I. S. P., & Newton, J. (2009). Teaching ESL/EFL listening and speaking. Routledge.

Nunan, D. (1991). Communicative tasks and the language curriculum. TESOL Quarterly, 25(2), 279-295.

Pachina, E. (2020, February 17). Drilling as a teaching method: Pros and cons. International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT). https://www.teflcourse.net/blog/drilling-as-a-teaching-method-pros-and-cons

Plengkham, S., & Wasanasomsithi, P. (2023). Enhancing Thai EFL learners' speaking abilities through integrated performance assessment. LEARN Journal, 16(1), 448–472.

Qamariah, H. (2017). What do our students want? A case study of EFL speaking students’ views of activities in the speaking classroom. Getsempena English Education Journal, 4(1), 27-33. https://doi.org/10.46244/geej.v4i1.721

Rao, P. S. (2019). The importance of speaking skills in English classrooms. Alford Council of International English and Literature Journal, 2(2), 1-12.

Rethinking concepts and goals in intercultural communication. De Gruyter. Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2001). Approaches and methods in language teaching (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Samperio, N. (2017). Discovering students' preference for classroom activities and teachers' frequency of activity use. Colombian Applied Linguistics Journal, 19(1), 51–66. https://doi.org/10.14483/calj.v19n1.9292

Sha'ar, M. Y. M. A., & Boonsuk, Y. (2021). What hinders English speaking in Thai EFL learners? Investigating factors that affect the development of their English speaking skills. Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 45(3). https://mextesol.net

Tipmontree, S., & Tasanameelarp, A. (2021). Using role-playing activities to improve Thai EFL students’ oral English communication skills. International Journal of Business and Society, 21(3), 1215–1225. https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.3345.2020

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.