A study on the reality of teaching speaking skill to non-English major students at Thai Nguyen University-College of Technology: relevant difficulties and some suggested teaching speaking techniques and activities

Nowadays it is not daring to say that the ability to speak at least one foreign language is a necessity. “Language is arguably the defining characteristic of the human species and knowledge of language in general, as well as ability to use one’s first and, at least one other language, should be one of the defining characteristics of the educated individual” (Nunan, 1999: 71). The world has become smaller. It is said it has turned into the size of the so-called “global village”. We are living in the time of immense technological inventions where communication among people has expanded way beyond their local speech communities (Ellis, 1997: 3). Today receiving education, language education not excepting, is not an issue connected exclusively with schools; the time requires everyone to learn throughout their lifetimes. Therefore learning a second language has become a means of keeping up with the pace of the rapidly changing world. Nowadays a foreign/second language forms a permanent part of all types of curriculum, from primary schools to universities, not mentioning an employment where a person, in most cases, can hardly survive without this ability. The demands of the contemporary society together with the position of English as an international language (McKay: 5) may present a reason for learning this language in particular. Objectively, the increasing demand for learning a foreign language, especially English in Vietnam is an evident tendency in the global integration along with Vietnam’s policy of innovation and industrialization and modernization cause. Most of the learners of English agree that the ability to express themselves freely in communication is of great importance for their future career, especially in modern societies where contacting with foreigners often occurs. However, there still exist many difficulties in learning and teaching English in Vietnam in general and at Thai Nguyen University-College of Technology (TNU-CT) in particular. Many Vietnamese learners can write and read English quite well but they cannot speak it correctly and fluently in real-life communication. Surely, there are many reasons for this reality. After teaching in some non-language colleges in Thai Nguyen University for 6 years, I have recognized some big obstacles which prevent English language teachers and learners in Vietnam from achieving their aims. These obstacles are: large and heterogeneous classes, students’ low level of English language proficiency, students’ low motivation and some others. Unfortunately, this is not only the situation in these colleges but also the case for many other non-language colleges and universities in Vietnam. This has given me the desire to conduct “A study on the reality of teaching speaking skill to non-English major students at Thai Nguyen University-College of Technology: relevant difficulties and some suggested teaching speaking techniques and activities”.