Challenges faced by Vietnamese university English majors in speaking English and their motivation for improving speaking skills

Abstract

In today’s interconnected world, English proficiency is no longer a choice but a necessity for progress. This study investigates the challenges faced by final-year English-major students in Vietnamese public universities and their motivation for improving their speaking skills. Through questionnaires, 91 students revealed moderate difficulties in speaking skills stemming from psychological and linguistic factors. Also, students generally display a moderate level of motivation to improve their speaking skills, indicating varied sources of motivation. Significantly, a noteworthy correlation is observed between difficulties in speaking skills and speaking achievement, underscoring the interlinked nature of these variables. However, motivation did not correlate with either speaking difficulties or achievement. This study emphasizes the intricacies of language learning, advocating for educators to employ comprehensive approaches that address the diverse challenges and motivations influencing students' proficiency in speaking skills. These insights can contribute to shaping educational policies, designing curricula, and teaching strategies to enhance the English learning experience for students at public universities in Vietnam.