SPEAKING PROBLEMS FACING FIRST-YEAR ENGLISH MAJORS AT UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION – THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study investigated the problems that the first-year major students at University of Education – Thai Nguyen University encountered when speaking English and the causes of the problems. A mixed method design was adopted. Two data collection instruments were questionnaire and interview. The participants were 44 first-year English majors in their first term in the academic year 2021-2022 at the University of Education – Thai Nguyen University. The findings revealed that all of the students had problems though not all of them had the same problems. The problems that most of the students had were related to vocabulary and grammar. The biggest contributor to the problems was limited chances to be exposed to the target language and time spent practicing it. Personal factors like shyness, lack of confidence and fear of mistakes also accounted for the difficulties. Some possible solutions to solve the problems were proposed.