Perception of Electrical Engineering UTM students on task-based speaking activities in fostering students communication in English

Abstract

One of the main issues in second language learning is ESL learners who are less proficient in the language opt to avoid speaking in English language classes. This study was done using a questionnaire survey on electrical engineering students of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and focused on the students’ perspectives on task-based speaking activities in fostering their communication in English. This study also seeks to find out which types of task-based speaking activities that highly promotes their communication in English. The types of task-based speaking activities are problem-solving, information-gap, and sharing personal experience or feelings. Results showed that most of the students agreed that task-based speaking activities improve their communication in English as it offers the students opportunities to practice the language in English classes. The findings also identified the types task-based speaking activities that most promotes their communication in English. Several suggestions are provided for future application in ESL classes.