Use of Posters to Promote Speaking Performance among Non-English Majors at Thai Nguyen University of Education, Vietnam

Abstract

English speaking is an important skill for students; however, many English majors at universities in Vietnam in general and non-majors in particular have problems in speaking English. Therefore, the aim of the research is to improve English speaking performance for non-English majors by organizing activities for students to design posters and speaking based on the posters that have been designed. The specific objectives are to investigate the current situation of speaking performance among non-English majors at Thai Nguyen University of Education as well as organize activities for students to design posters and speak based on the designed posters, and then evaluate the impacts of posters-based speaking activities on the speaking performance of non-English majors. To conduct the study, a mixed method research design, which combines qualitative method and quantitative methods, was used along with the survey. There were all 20 non-English majors from Maths class at Thai Nguyen University of Education, who were invited to take part in the research. All of these students were required to take part in the speaking pre-test and post-test as well as pre- and post-questionnaire about their opinions of using poster designing activities. The results show that designing posters plays a significant role in improving and enhancing English speaking performance for non-English majors. Students’ feedback concerning the use of posters designed in speaking classes are, in general, also quite optimistic. Besides, the research proposes some suggestions for minimizing the drawbacks of using posters designing activities to enhance the potentiality of this method and make it more interesting, meaningful and effective.