The Characteristics of Successful Speaking Activity

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present the characteristics of successful speaking activity. Speaking is often seen as a talent that is inherent in a person. “The ability to speak a language is synonymous with knowing that language”. It is a fundamental skill that is widely used as a way to measure the capability of language learner. It promotes the position of speaking in a second or foreign language has often been viewed as the most demanding of the four skills. This skill is the most important indicator for students' success in learning foreign language. Nevertheless, speaking is usually considered as a difficult skill. This is because speaking combines aspect of other language skills such as pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.

Unfortunately, in various cases, it is proven that foreign language learners in Thailand have difficulties in English speaking. English especially speaking for Thai people quite challenging to be learned. Although most of the high school students have studied English for at least 6 years, the ability and the competence in speaking English are still low. Even worse, this is also the case for college alumni who took special major in English but have not been able to express their ideas into English actively after graduated. It explains “Indeed, one frustration commonly voiced by learners is that they have spent years studying English, but still they cannot speak it”. So we have to find the characteristics of successful speaking activity for the students.