A Study of Development of English Speaking of the Second Year Bachelor of Education Myanmar Students at Education Faculty, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University

Abstract

This article aimed to study development of English speaking of the second year bachelor of education Myanmar Students at Education Faculty, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. It has three objectives: 1) to study the nature of English speaking problems in learning English; 2) to study English speaking problems of the second year Bachelor of Education Myanmar students; and 3) to study ways for solving English speaking problems of the second year Bachelor of Education Myanmar students at Education Faculty, Mahachulalornkornrajavidyalaya University. The study is mixed methods research between a quantitative research and qualitative research in nature. A questionnaire is used for collecting quantitative data from 100 students and an in-depth interview is used for collecting quantitative data from 7 key informants. For analyzing quantitative data statistics including Frequency, Percentage, Mean and Standard Deviation (SD) is used and a content analysis is used for analysis for analyzing qualitative data.

The results of the study are as follows:

1. From the study of the nature of English speaking problems in learning English it found that 1) the nature of English speaking problems in learning English of students including English was very important language ( x =4.32); More effective way to study English ( x =4.06);Speaking English with senior students ( x =3.97); use of international phonetic as a proof of effective speaking skill ( x =3.93);Use of difficult vocabulary makes speaking effective ( x =3.62); living in English environment is an effective way for speaking skill (( x =4.00); use of mother-tongue while studying English in the class ( x =3.66); use other materials for the enhancement of speaking skill ( x =3.81);the nature of English speaking problems in learning English of teachers including all of students agreed that teacher used English as a second language for teaching English in the class ( x =4.05); students believed that speaking English was better than speaking Burmese ( x =3.53); teachers attempted using speaking techniques while teaching in the class ( x =3.85); students responded in English at all time ( x =3.59); teachers used mother-tongue while teaching in the class ( x =3.54); teachers used visual aids for the teaching in the class ( x =3.66); teachers used speaking Thai while teaching in the class ( x =3.52); MCU had an English speaking class and a good environment for speaking English ( x =3.80).


2. In respect of a study of English speaking problems of the second year Bachelor of Education Myanmar students it revealed that all of students agreed that they are too shy to speak English in front of the class because speaking English is quite difficult ( x =3.24); they do not know how to learn English effectively ( x =2.95); in fact, English is easy. They just need to choose the right method of learning English (x =3.92); English clauses, phrases are different from Burmese language ( x =3.67); students need to remember the most common phrases and clauses in English ( x =3.80); students know grammar rules but they cannot speak English well ( x =3.63); they do not have a perfect pronunciation to speak English ( x =3.52); they are afraid of speaking English to foreigner because foreigner will not understand their accent they think ( x =3.17); they cannot speak English fluently like an educated native people ( x =3.53); they find it difficult to speak English with the correct intonation and stress ( x =3.53).


3. Regarding ways for solving English speaking problems of the second year Bachelor of Edcation Myanmar students at Education Faculty, Mahachulalornkornrajavidyalaya University it found that ways for solving English speaking problems suggested by key informants included to practice speaking English more and more as the motto “practice makes perfect” without using mother-tongue, to study on online, web sites and International Phonetic Alphabet in order to know how to pronounce and to speak English correctly, to practice word by word to make a correct spelling and some words in a dictionary and writing down in a note book till having got skillful, to understand accurately about Grammar rules of English such as sentences, structures, punctuations, to imitate native speakers to practice the right pronunciation, accent, intonation, stress by reading out like a native speaker, to listen to the English news on radio or watch English education channels, to get rid of shyness and do fear of speaking by practicing in front of the mirror, to prepare carefully what to talk and how to talk to get a good attention from the audience.