Examining the Issues of English-Speaking Skills that University EFL Learners Face

Abstract

Speaking English is a regular part of the academic routine for EFL students enrolled in Vietnam's top undergraduate English programs. Occasionally, this approach poses numerous issues for first-year undergraduate students at both public and private universities. Despite its significance, not enough information was discovered regarding the difficulties Vietnamese university students have speaking English. One hundred and one students and twelve teachers from six universities participated in the current study, which used mixed methods to investigate the speaking issues encountered by undergraduate students. The outcome demonstrates that English majors at public and private universities encounter numerous difficulties when trying to communicate in the language. But according to this survey, students at public universities have somewhat better English proficiency and experience fewer issues than those at private universities. The participants shared their varied perspectives on how curricula, methods of instruction, and specific institutions might help students overcome their limited proficiency in speaking English. Lastly, the study offers the relevant stakeholders a number of highly detailed recommendations based on the findings.