Using group work activities to enhance speaking skill of the first year non-English major students at higher education

Abstract

Speaking is one of the most vital skills in language learning. Group-work activities are considered as a useful method in order to develop learners’ speaking skill. This paper focused on studying the effectiveness of applying group-work activities in teaching and learning English speaking skills for the first year non-English major students, especially Garment technology and Fashion design students at a public university in Hanoi. The research tools used in this study were student questionnaires, class observations and students’ speaking tests. Based on the results of the study, some specific suggestions are strongly given about the use of group-work activities to enhance students’ speaking skills in speaking classes at higher education.