English-majored students’ belief in factors influencing the correlation between listening comprehension and speaking performance

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between listening comprehension and speaking performance, and analyze the factors influencing this correlation. To answer the research questions, the author uses mixed methods using questionnaire and interview as the research instruments when comparing the data collected from the questionnaire with the data collected from the interviews. This survey sample includes 141 students, including 74 junior and 67 senior majoring English Studies (High-quality program) at Can Tho University. A survey of twenty-nine items using the 5-point scale and the Statistics Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 20 is used to analyze. The interviews include eight questions completed by two teachers and five students. The results show that students have a positive perception of the correlation between listening comprehension and speaking performance. This study also indicates that teaching methods, quality of training or difficulties in linguistics are all factors that influence this correlation. The findings in this study can make a positive contribution to the language learning process of students because it not only helps students to come up with appropriate learning methods to enhance these two skills simultaneously, but also helps teachers to provide appropriate instructions to help their students develop language ability.