The Use of English Oral Communication Strategies of Thai Engineers in Manufacturing Industry

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the types of communication strategies (CSs) employed by Thai engineers in their interaction with foreign colleagues and clients at the workplace. In addition, the study also explores the types of oral communication strategies that Thai engineers most frequently use in different tasks while communicating in English at the workplace. The findings of the present study revealed the types of communication strategies used to cope with speaking problems that are frequently used by Thai engineers in different tasks. The Oral Communication Strategy Inventory (OCSI) was used to collect quantitative data from 108 Thai engineers working in the manufacturing industry. The findings of this study revealed effective oral communication strategies in relation to different tasks which will help to improve Thai Engineers’ English oral communication skills in the engineering context based on the strategies they lack.