A Study of English Communication Strategy Use of Undergraduate Students Majoring in Science

Article Sidebar

PDF
Published: Sep 12, 2017
Keywords:
communication strategy, second language speaking, survey

Main Article Content

Kritnucha Sutthinaraphan
Punchalee Wasanasomsithi

Abstract

The study of communication strategy has become an important aspect of English language teaching and learning. This paper aimed to examine communication strategy use of Thai undergraduate students majoring in science. Eighty-six first-year students at Chulalongkorn University were asked to complete a questionnaire adapted from Nakatani (2006). The participants studied in three science-related faculties: Science, Engineering, and Sports Science. The results of the study revealed that most of the participants used “nonverbal strategy.” On the contrary, “Attempt to think in English” was the least often employed strategy. It is necessary that students should be trained to use other achievement strategies such as attempt to think in English, accuracy-oriented, and fluency-oriented strategies.

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 11 No. 2 (2017): The New English Teacher
Section
Research articles

 

 

 

Author Biographies

Kritnucha Sutthinaraphan

Kritnucha Sutthinaraphan is a lecturer of English at Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University. He completed his Master's Degree in  English as an International Language at Chulalongkorn University and Bachelor's Degree in Business English Communication at thammasat University. His areas of interest include Sociolinguistics, Corpus Linguistics, and Second Language Speaking. Email: s.kritnucha@gmail.com

Punchalee Wasanasomsithi

Punchalee Wasanasomsithi is an associate professor at Chulalongkorn University Language Institute.

References

Aitchison, S. (2007). 6 ways to dramatically improve your eye contact skills -. [online] Change your thoughts. Available at: http://www.stevenaitchison.co.uk/blog/6-ways-to-dramatically-improve-your-eye-contact-skills/ [Accessed 23 Mar. 2016].

Bailey, K. (2005). Practical English language teaching. New York: McGraw-Hill ESL/ELT.

Beamer, L. and Varner, I. (2008). Intercultural communication in the global workplace. Boston: McGraw-Hill Irwin.

Bohlke, D. (2013). Fluency-oriented second language teaching. In M. Clece-Murcia, D. Brinton & M. Snow, Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (4th ed.). Boston, Mass. [u.a.]: National Geographic Learning [u.a.].

Brown, H. (2007). Teaching by principles. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall Regents, pp.267-297.

CEFR. (2014). Common European Framework of Reference. [online] Available at: http://ebcl.eu.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/CEFR-all-scales-and-all-skills.pdf [Accessed 8 Nov. 2014].

Chuanchaisit, S. and Prapphal, K. (2009). A Study of English Communication Strategies of Thai University Students. Manusya, [online] 17, pp.100-126. Available at: http://www.manusya.journals.chula.ac.th/files/essay/Suttinee_p.100-126.pdf [Accessed 6 Jan. 2016].

Chula, (2016). ศูนย์ทดสอบทางวิชาการแห่งจุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย. [online] Available at: http://www.atc.chula.ac.th/th_html/th_tep.html [Accessed 6 Jan. 2016].

Dörnyei, Z. and Scott, M. (1997). Communication Strategies in a Second Language: Definitions and Taxonomies. Language Learning, 47(1), pp.173-210.

EF, (2016). EF English Proficiency Index - A comprehensive ranking of countries by English skills. [online] Available at: http://www.ef.co.th/epi/ [Accessed 6 Jan. 2016].

Gudu, B. (2017). Teaching Speaking Skills in English Language using Classroom Activities in Secondary School Level in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya. Journal Of Education And Practice, 6(35). Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1086371.pdf

Leaver, B., Ehrman, M. and Shekhtman, B. (2005). Achieving success in second language acquisition. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, pp.147-182.

Lightbown, P. and Spada, N. (2006). How languages are learned. Oxford [england]: Oxford University Press, pp.77-107.

Malasit, Y. and Sarobol, N. (2013). Communication Strategies Used by Thai EFL Learners. FLLT Conference Proceedings, [online] (2). Available at: http://www.litu.tu.ac.th/2012/images/litu/2013/pdf/conferences/use%20of%20communication%20strategies%20by%20thai%20efl%20learners.pdf [Accessed 6 Jan. 2016].

Metcalfe, J. and Noom-Ura, S. (2013). Communication Strategy Use of High and Low Proficiency Learners of English at a Thai University. LEARN, 6(1).

Nakatani, Y. (2010). Identifying Strategies That Facilitate EFL Learners' Oral Communication: A Classroom Study Using Multiple Data Collection Procedures. The Modern Language Journal, 94(1), pp.116-136.

Nakatani, Y. (2006). Developing an Oral Communication Strategy Inventory. The Modern Language Journal, 90(2), pp.151-168.

Nakatani, Y. (2005). The Effects of Awareness-Raising Training on Oral Communication Strategy Use. The Modern Language Journal, 89(1), pp.76-91.

Nakatani, Y. (2012). Exploring the Implementation of the CEFR in Asian Contexts: Focus on Communication Strategies. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 46, pp.771-775.

O'Malley, J. and Chamot, A. (1990). Learning strategies in second language acquisition. Cambridge [England]: Cambridge University Press.

Paranapiti, K. (2014). Effects of Communication Strategy Instruction on English Speaking Ability and Confidence of EFL Undergraduates. Ph.D. Chulalongkorn University.

Razmjoo, S. and Ardekani, S. (2011). A Model of Speaking Strategies for EFL Learners. Teaching Language Skills, 3.

Rpi.edu, (2016). Nonverbal Communication. [online] Available at: https://www.rpi.edu/dept/advising/american_culture/social_skills/nonverbal_communication/reading_exercise.htm [Accessed 6 Jan. 2016].

Tinjaca, R. and Contreras, R. (2008). Overcoming Fear of Speaking in English through Meaningful Activities: A Study with Teenagers. Profile, 9.