English-Speaking Confidence among Malaysian Technical University Students: A Pilot Study

Sarala Thulasi Palpanadan, Iqbal Ahmad, Ros Eliana Ahmad Zuki, Zulida Abdul Kadir and Mazlan bin Aris
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Sarala Thulasi Palpanadan: Center for Language Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400, Batu Pahat, Johor Malaysia
Iqbal Ahmad: Faculty of Education, Malakand University, 18800, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Ros Eliana Ahmad Zuki: Research and Innovation Planning Department, Institut Pendidikan Guru Temenggong Ibrahim, 80350, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Zulida Abdul Kadir: Center for Language Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400, Batu Pahat, Johor Malaysia
Mazlan bin Aris: Institut Pendidikan Guru Raja Melewar, 70400 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

English Literature and Language Review, 2020, vol. 6, issue 7, 105-109

Abstract: Speaking in English confidently is a challenging task but very crucial for university students. Graduates with good communication efficiency especially in the engineering field are greatly demanded in the current work industry. Performing confidently is not only important for scoring academic tasks but also to help expand the revenue of the companies at workplace. Thus, a pilot study was conducted to investigate the perceptions of a public technical university engineering undergraduates’ confidence level in speaking English. A mixed method design was employed where a survey and semi-structured interview were conducted for data collection. The participants were selected using purposive sampling method where a total number of 50 undergraduates provided valid responses to the online questionnaire and 5 undergraduates participated in the semi-structured interview. Descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for the Social Science Version 25.0 (SPSS version 25.0) and thematic analysis were adopted for data analyses. The results revealed three main areas that were identified as important to build the students’ confidence in speaking: applying manual skills, familiarization of vocabulary and correct usage of grammar. The findings also highlighted that the participants felt that more public speaking practices should be provided to them to improve their confidence level further in speaking English fluently.

Keywords: Speaking confidence; Communication ability; University undergraduates; Engineering students. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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