MARK ULLA -

STUDENTS’ SPEAKING MOTIVATION AND THEIR PERSPECTIVES ON A TASK-BASED LANGUAGE CLASSROOM: PEDAGOGICAL IMPLICATIONS : TEACHING METHODOLOGY

Previous studies in the literature proved that task-based English language teaching and learning has a positive impact towards English as a foreign language learners’ speaking development and improvement. This present study identifies 137 Thai university EFL students’ speaking motivation, speaking performance, and their perspectives on a task-based language classroom. Methods used to collect the needed data for the study were survey questionnaire, individual and group interviews, classroom observation, and a class evaluative speaking performance. Findings revealed that despite students’ positive perception and a high level of motivation in learning and improving their English speaking skills in a task-based language classroom, there were still a number of them who found it challenging to use English in speaking especially when talking to their classmates and to their teacher. Lack of confidence and lack of exposure to English language speaking situations attributed to this problem. Implications were discussed and future research directions were also offered.

Mark Ulla finished his Master of Arts in English language teaching at Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Philippines where he also obtained his Bachelor of Arts in English. He is now a Lecturer at Walailak University Language Institute, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.