Thạc Sĩ improving english speaking skills through skype

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART A : INTRODUCTION 1
1. Rationale . 1
2. Aims of the study 1
3. Scope of the study . 2
4. Research questions 2
5. Methods of the study . 2
6. Design of the study 2
PART B : DEVELOPMENT . 4
CHAPTER I: LITERATURE REVIEW 4
1.1. Definitions of speaking 4
1.2. The importance of speaking skills . 6
1.2.1. Importance of speaking skills in communication . 6
1.2.2. The importance of speaking skills in the process of learning English 7
1.3. Main factors affecting speaking skills 8
1.3.1. Cultural differences 8
1.3.2. Personal differences . 9
1.3.3. Vocabulary 9
1.3.4. Pronunciation 10
1.3.5. Grammar accuracy . 11
1.3.6. Fluency 11
1.4. Introduction of “skype” . 12
1.5. Summary of the chapter 13
CHAPTER II: USING “SKYPE” IN THE PROCESS OF LEARNING ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS . 14
2.1. Features of “skype” . 14
2.2. The benefits of learning English via “skype” . 17
2.2.1. The distance is endless when studying English speaking skills 17
2.2.2. Improve listening and speaking skills at the same time . 17
2.2.3. Using the chat box to check spelling and emphasize other aspects 17
2.2.4. Transfering files, sharing screens/links and giving examples . 18
2.2.5. Saving time 18
2.3. “Skype” – The useful tool for improving English speaking skills 18
2.4. Summary of the chapter 21
CHAPTER III: SOME COMMON DIFFICULTIES OF VIETNAMESE LEARNERS OF ENGLISH IN SPEAKING SKILLS . 22
3.1. Data collection . 22
3.1.1. Survey questionnaire . 22
3.1.2. Classroom observation 22
3.2. Data analysis . 23
3.2.1. Students’ attitude towards English speaking skills 23
3.2.2. Main factors that affect Vietnamese learners of English during the process of learning speaking skills 24
3.2.2.1. Poor pronunciation 25
3.2.2.2. Self-confidence . 25
3.2.2.3. Mother-tongue . 26
3.2.2.4. Lack of vocabulary 27
3.2.2.5. English speaking environment . 27
3.2.3. Strategies are usually applied to develop their English speaking skills . 30
3.3. Summary of the chapter 31
CHAPTER IV: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STUDENTS IN IMPROVING ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS THROUGH “SKYPE” 32
4.1. Using “skype” as an effective tool to teach English speaking skills in ESL Classroom . 32
4.2. Using “skype” for self-studying English speaking skills 34
4.3. Using “skype” for online class . 35
4.3.1. One teacher – one student 36
4.3.2. One teacher – more than one student . 38
4.4. Summary of the chapter 40
PART C : CONCLUSION . 41
REFERENCES 42
APPENDIX

PART A : INTRODUCTION

1. Rationale
It is widely accepted that English has become an essential part in various fields of life. The global language of English is used in not only politics, tourism, computing, diplomacy but also music, television programme, and even on the internet. Not only that, there are more websites made in English than anywhere else.Many countries have taken it on as a second language. According to BBC, about 1,500,000,000 people in the world speak English and another 1,000,000,000 are learning it. 75% of the world’s letters and postcards are written in English. Almost all international organizations and competitions are using English as the main language. In Vietnam, English has been a compulsory subject in many schools and universities. However, Vietnamese students are studying English in passive resistance. They just concentrate on grammar and neglect others skills, especially speaking skill - an integral part in the process of learning English. Nevertheless, the reasons why Vietnamese students are not good at speaking skills are not only their sense of studying but also limited speaking environment, teachers’ teaching methods and practicing speaking English.
With the purpose of helping the English learners to aware some of difficulties and factors affecting speaking skills, since then propose some strategies to improve students’ English speaking skills through software named “Skype”, the author conducted the study about “improving speaking skills through “skype”.
2. Aims of the study
The study is to aim at introducing a new way for learners to improve speaking skills through “skype”. The study also gives out some purposes as follows :
- To give an overview and outlook of “skype” in the process of learning English
- To prove the benefits of using “skype” to improve speaking skills
- To propose some tips to apply “skype” in the process of learning English
3. Scope of the study
Due to the limitation of time and the length of the thesis, the study is only concentrate on some common difficulties in learning English speaking skills of Vietnamese learners and some strategies to improve English speaking skills through “skype”.
4. Research questions
In this paper, the author is going to answer these questions:
- What is speaking?
- What difficulties do you have when speaking English?
- What have you done to develop English speaking skills?
- Have you ever applied “skype” to improve English speaking skills?
5. Methods of the study
The paper has used some research methods:
- Collecting data via survey questionnaire and classroom observation
- Analyzing materials in libraries, books, websites and data collected
- Presenting data and drawing conclusions, since then propose some recommendations to enhance English speaking skills.
6. Design of the study
The study is composed of 3 main parts, each of which focuses on a particular issue:
- Part A: introduction
- Part B: development consists of four chapters:
Chapter 1: literature review, gives an overview of speaking definition, its importance and factors affecting speaking skills
Chapter 2: in this chapter, the paper introduces “skype” as a useful tool for improving speaking skills.
Chapter 3: describes methods used to collect data of the research and then analyze data collected to find out some common difficulties of Vietnamese learners in English speaking skills.
Chapter 4: recommendations for Vietnamese students of English in improving speaking skills through “skype”.
- Part C: conclusion
References
Appendix