The Effects of Role-Playing Simulation Activities on the Improvement of EFL Students’ Business English Oral Communication

Abstract

The current study investigated the effects of role-playing simulation activities in the improvement of 45 Thai EFL university students’ business English oral communication. Firstly, a pre-speaking test was administered in order to get data on the students’ business oral communication skills. After the completion of each unit, the participants were asked to perform role-playing simulations according to the given scenarios in the course. A post-speaking test was used at the end of the 15-week instructional period as well as a questionnaire that investigated the students’ attitudes towards activities. The results showed that the teaching method had positive effects on the improvement of students’ oral communication skills. Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the pre- and post-tests. The students improved most in acting confident, whereas problem solving appeared to be less successfully improved through these activities. The data gained from the questionnaire revealed the students’ positive attitudes towards learning through role-playing simulation activities. It is suggested that for more sustainably effective oral communication in business English contexts, teachers should give more sufficient practice with problem solving and fluency buildingnbuilding.