A STUDY OF ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS OF THE SECOND YEAR STUDENTS IN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM, MAHACHULALONGKORNRAJAVIDAYALAYA UNIVERISITY Ven. Punnyananda (Mong Hsai) A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts English (International Program) Graduate School Mahachulalongkornrajavidayalaya University C. 2018 A Study of English Communication Skills of the Second Year Students in International Program, Mahachulalongkornrajavidayalaya Univerisity Ven. Punnyananda (Mong Hsai) A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts English (International Program) Graduate School Mahachulalongkornrajavidayalaya University C.
2018 ( Copyright by Mahachulalongkornrajavidayalaya University) i Thesis Title : A Study of English Communication Skills of the Second Year Students in International Program, MahachulalongkornrajavidyalayaUniversity Researcher : Ven. Punnyananda (Mong Hsai) Degree : Master of Arts in English (International Program) Thesis Supervisory Committee : Phramaha Suriya Varamedhi, Asst. (Linguistics) Date of Graduation : February 28, 2019 Abstract The aim of this research study is to explain the English communication skills of the second year student in international program, Faculty of Humanities, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. The objectives of the study are classified into three parts as the following (1) To study the problems in English communication for the second year students who enrolled in international program, at Faculty of Humanities, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (2) To analyze the possibility of English communication problems at the Faculty of Humanities,Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (3) To find the possible strategies that could be utilized in real listening and speaking in order to avoid English communication problems of students at Faculty of Humanities, at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.
The study is consisted of both quantitative and qualitative method. In this research, it is referred to the second year international students to develop English communication skills. To get the information from the second year M. students, the researcher had interviewed them and took a note as a tool to collect the information from their opinions and suggestions.
The result of this research has been found that students developed their English after second year of study at international program, Faculty of Humanities in Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. The methods of developing English communication skills are listening, speaking, reading, writing, watching English movies, or other movies with English subtitles. They also agreed that English communication skills were very necessary for their positions, and the skills of listening and speaking were the most used at work. Moreover, second year international students had evaluated themselves and the results show that they have moderate skills in English ii communication through speaking and listening skills.
However, the results also revealed that both second year international students and English learners needed to improve their English communication skills for practicing English more both in and outside the classrooms. The findings from the research study pointed out that second year international students could speak well, but they still wanted to enhance their communication skills in order to make their audiences to be satisfied with their speech. Hence, the major problems in English communication were accent/pronunciation, using correct grammar, and using appropriate words. If the students are related with these problems, the teachers must encourage them to read more, practice more to overcome the communication problems in order to avoid misunderstanding and saving time between their friends and differences foreigners around the world.
iii Acknowledgements First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to my thesis, supervisors, Asst. Veerakarn Kanokkamalade, Asst. Phramaha Suriya Varamedhi for their encouragement, valuable suggestions, and guidance throughout this study. In addition, I would like to say “many thanks” to Miss Lalita Pimrat for helping me to finish this study and making it possible.
Without her, I cannot imagine completing my Thesis on time. Moreover, my heart-felt thanks go to all teachers who taught me, but I have not mentioned here for their knowledge. Secondly, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to my parents for their love, care and inspiration that they have constantly provided me throughout my education life. Without them, I would not be here today.
Finally, I would like to say “thank you” to all of my friends at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University for their kind support and encouragements. I’m sincerely thankful to everything that had helped me until I finish my Thesis. To add that again, thank you to all of16 my friends whom had made my in-depth interview with for my Thesis. This study had definitely completed with their help, care, and encouragement.
Punnyananda (Mong Hsai) iv Table of Contents Title Page Abstract i Acknowledgements iii Table of Contents iv The List of Abbreviations and Symbols vi Chapter I: Introduction 1 1.1 Background and Significance of the Problems 1 1.2 Objectives of the Research 9 1.3 Statement of the Problems Desired to Know 9 1.4 Scope of the Study 9 1.5 Definition of the Terms Used in the Research 10 1.6 Literatures Review and Research Work Concerned 10 1.8 Expected Benefits 13 Chapter II: Literatures Review and Research Work Concerned 14 2.1 Definitions of Communication Skills 14 2.2 Types of Communication Skills 18 2.6 Improving Oral Communication Skills 27 2.7 Vocabulary Learning Strategies 31 2.9 Non-Verbal Communication Skills 36 Chapter III: Research Methodology 41 3.2 Population and Simple 41 3.5 Data Analysis 48 v Table of Contents (Continued) Title Page Chapter IV: Analysis Result 50 4.1 General Information of M. second year students in International program, at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University 50 4.2 The data analysis of pre-test 52 4.3 The data analysis of post-test 56 Chapter V: Conclusion, Discussion and Suggestion 60 5.3 Suggestion 63 Bibliography 64 Appendix 68 Biography 79 vi The List of Abbreviations and Symbols The abbreviation uses in the research as following data S’ = Singular ‘s = Plural , = Comma “Or” = Quotation Marks : = colon ; = semicolon. = Full stop - = Hyphen _ = Dash ? = Question mark ! = Exclamation mark ___ = Underline () = Parentheses % = Percentage S. = Example MCU = Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya Chapter I Introduction 1.1 Background and Significance of the Problems English Communication is one of the essential foundations of human existence, yet most people overlook the need to enhance their communication skills.
An effective communication skill is a must whether it is individual or a group. English communication skill is the art and technique for communicating and persuading. Thus, a communication skill is the ability to use language and express information. A communication skill is the set of skills that enables a person to convey information so that it is received and understood.
Therefore, communication skills are necessary and important for second year students in the international program at the Faculty of Humanities at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. Ferguson states that “Communication is a vital part of our daily routines. We sit in school and listen to teachers. We read books and magazines.
We talk to friends, watch television, and communicate over the Internet. The workplace is no different. Experts tell us that 70-80 percent of our working time is spent in some kind of communication. We’re reading and writing memos, listening to our co-workers, or having one-to-one conversations with our supervisors.
Communication involves at least two people: the sender and the receiver.1 English Communication skills refer to the behaviors that serve to convey information. A communication skill is the ability an individual displays in consistently to effectively communicate with classmates, colleagues, and subordinates in both the professional and personal world. Listening and communication skills are two of the most basic and important skills that help desk analysts must possess. Analysts take in information by listening.
They use both verbal and nonverbal skills to communicate. These skills are important because analysts must communicate and listen actively when customers provide information about their problems or requests. 1 Ferguson, Communication Skills, (USA: Ferguson Publishing Company, 2010), p. Riemer stated that communication skills are essential for students who aspire to carry out his or her professional practice in the global arena.
Communication skills basically constitute several core elements such as the fluency in the English language and the fundamentals of visual communication. Evidence indicates that communication skills are what helped Homo sapiens evolve beyond our related ancestors, and that these skills have helped humankind develop into the advanced societies on Earth today.2 The ability to effectively communicate with other people is an important skill. Through communication, people reach come understanding of each other, learn like each other, influence one another, build trust, and learn more about themselves and how people perceive them. People who communicate effectively know how to interact with others flexibly, skillfully, and responsibility, but without sacrificing their own needs and integrity.
To add that again, when people talk to themselves, communication takes place within the brain. It embraces their thoughts, experiences and perceptions during a communication event. Alan Barker points out that excellent communication skills are vital in today's workplace. Whether keeping the interest of a large audience, impressing a potential employer or simply winning the argument at an important meeting, the key part is sounding.
Effective communication is one of the most important life skills we can learn; yet one we don’t usually put a lot of effort into. Whether you want to have better conversations in your social life or get your ideas across better at work. 3 Communication is like the house door that migrants must enter first. The adaptation to the cultural differences relates directly with the failure or success of the migrants and it depends greatly on the communication competence of the migrants with host.
Communication between people is the central part of the structural change for adaptation that will give the greatest effect on adaptation. Riemer, English and Communication Skill, (Australia: University of Sydney, 2016), p. 3 Alan Barker, Improve Your Communication Skills, (UK: Kogan page limited in United Kingdom, 2013), p. Waewta Soisuwan states that “communication has a significant influence of global business.
Many organizations pay attention to both internal co and external communications. As the use of the English language continues to grow popularly, it is obvious that English is the international language of communications. Researchers concur on that view and for various purposes, such as education, technology, business and cultural development. Hence, communications skills are a vital part of personal life.”4 English playsa key role for second year students to develop their communication skill.
It is very helpful to them to learn the language effectively and to be able to communicate fluently with each other; it helps to enhance their English speaking proficiency level. In the work world, communication skills are critical in many situations. These include going on job interviews, asking question when you need to help on an unfamiliar project, training other employees, and dealing with other customers. Jeya Santhi states that learning a second language is as important as it is essential in every aspect and interaction in our everyday lives.
Every sentence we use has the purpose of enabling second language learners to move beyond vocabulary and grammar to the functional aspect of communication. Being able to communicate with each other forms bonds, teamwork, and it’s what separates humans from other animal species. Communication drives our lives. To English language learners in enhancing and equipping them with the basic communication skills which will be helpful for them to converse effectively in the target language and be employable.5 They facilitate people to interact.
Communication is the basic thread that ties us together. Thailand is a perfect example; English has become a second language. This does not apply only to students, but also to people that use it on a daily basis. The most frequently used skills in English communication are listening and speaking.
As the researcher states, the world is changing rapidly and it is convenient to be in contact with people across the countries and the continents. Waewta Soisuwn, “The Needs on English Communication Skills of the Vat Refund for Tourist Officers”, M. 5 Jeya Santhi, Advanced Skills for Communication in English, (India: New Century House, 2016), p.