English - majored students' public speaking practice: challenges and solutions. A survey at Can Tho University

Abstract

This study investigated students’ challenges and solutions in English public speaking at CTU. This study employed a mix of qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Questionnaire and interview were used to collect data. Questionnaires were distributed to 132 students with a view to find out the challenges, whereas a face to face individual interview was conducted with 6 students in order to get more in depth data about their challenges and the solutions they cope with the challenges in English public speaking. The results of this study showed that there was a variety of challenges encountered by students in public speaking. These challenges refer to linguistic problems including: lack of vocabulary, mispronunciation, lack of grammar structure, and non-linguistic problems including: anxiety, lack of confidence, poor delivery, lack of motivation and lack of preparation. The results also showed that the most frequent challenge was lack of vocabulary. This study also investigated some feasible solutions to overcome the weaknesses of their public speaking. Based on the research findings, some limitations and recommendations were made.